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\

THE GENERAL

BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY

A NEW EDITION.

VOL. VII.

»» *

Printed by Nichols, Son, and* Bentley,
Red lion Passage, Fleet Street, London.

^

THE GENERAL

BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY:

CONTAINING
AN HISTORICAL AND CRITICAL ACCOUNT

OF THE

LIVES AND WRITINGS

OF IHB

MOST EMINENT PERSONS

IN EVERY NATION;

PARTICULARLY THE BRITISH AND IRISH;
FROM THE EARLIEST ACCOUNTS TO THE PRESENT TIME.

A NEW EDITION,

REVISED AND ENLARGED BY

ALEXANDER CHALMERS, F. S. A.

VOL. VII.

LONDON:

FR1NTBD FOB J. NICHOLS AND SON* F. C. AND J. RIYINGTON J T. PAYNE*
W. OTRIDGB AND SON J O. AND W. NICOL ; WILKIE AND ROBINSON |
J. WALKER J R. LEA j W. LOWNDES ; WHITE, COCHRANE, AND CO. f
J. BRIGHTON; T. EGBRTON; LAC KINGTON, ALLEN, AND CO.) J. CARPENTER*
LONGMAN, HUR8T, REES, ORME, AND BROWN ; CADELL AND DAVIBS j C. LAW |
J. BOOKER ; J. CUTHELL; CLARKE AND SONS; J. AND A. ARCH ; J. HARRIS »
BLACK, PARRY, AND CO. ; J. BOOTH ; J. MAWMAN ; GALE, CURTIS, ANDt
FBNNER; R. H. EVANS; J. HATCHARD; J. HARDING ; R. BALDWBf ) J, MURRAY;
J. JOHNSON AND CO. J E. BENTLKY J AND J. FAULDRR,

1813.

A NEW AND GENERAL
BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.

BlUGIT, or BRIDGET, and by contraction BRIDE,
(St.) a saint of the Romish church, and the patroness of
Ireland, flourished in the beginning of the sixth century,
and is named in the martyrology of Bede, and in all others
since that age. She was born at Fochard in Ulster, soon
after Ireland was converted, and took the veil in her youth
from the bauds of ! disciple of St.

Patrick. She built hi irge oak, thence

called Kill-dare, or I id being joined

soon after by severs !y formed them-

selves into a religious ranched out into

several other nunneri 1, all which ac-

knowledge her for th Iress. Her bio-

graphers give no particulars of her life, but what are too
much of the miraculous kind for modern readers. Several
churches in England and Scotland are dedicated to her,
and some hi Germany and France, by which we may guess
at her past reputation. According to Giraldus Cambrensis,
her body was found, with those of St. Patrick and St. Co-
lumba, in a triple vault at Down-Patrick in 1 1 85, and were
all three translated to the cathedral of the same city, but
their monument was destroyed in the reign of Henry VIII.
She is commemorated in the Roman martyrology on the
first of February. This Brigit was a virgin ; but in the
Roman calendar we find another Bridgit, a widow, the foun-
dress of the monasteries of the Brigittines, who died July
t3, I373.1

1 Butler's Lives of the Saints.

Vol. VII. B

2 BRILL.

•

BRILL (Matthew), an artist of whom very few parti-
culars are mentioned ; the most material are, that he was*
born at Antwerp, in 1550, and learned the rudiments of
his art in that city ; that he went to study at Rome, and in
a very few years manifested so much merit . iiv landscape
and history, that Pope Gregory XIII. employed him to
work in the Vatican, and allowed him an honourable pen-
sion as long as he lived. He died in 1 584, aged thirty-
five. *

BRILL (Paul), an excellent artist, brother to Matthew
Brill, was born at Antwerp, in 1554, but bred to the pro-
fession of painting under Daniel Voltelmans. From the
time of his quitting that master till he went to Italy, bis
manner was rather stiff, his pictures had a predominant
brown and yellow tinge, and his design and colouring were
equally indifferent. But when he visited his brother Mat-
thew at Rome, and saw the works of Titian and Caracciy
he altered his Flemish manner entirely, and fixed upon a
style that was abundantly pleasing, with a charming tone
of colour. The pension and employment which his brother
possessed at the Vatican were conferred upon Paul ; and;
be so far surpassed him, that he daily rose in his reputa-
tion, till he was considered as the first in his profession.1
Annibal Caracci generally painted the figures in his land-
scapes, and by that means increased their value to a very
high degree. His manner of painting is true, sweet, and*
tender; the touchings of his trees are firm, and yet deli-
cate ; his scenery, his situations, and distances, are ad-
mirable, most of them being taken from nature ; and the.
masses of his light and shadow are strong, and very judi-
cious; though, in stfme of his small easel-pictures, he may
be sometimes accounted rather too green, or at least more-
greenish than could be wished. It is remarked of him,
Jthat, in the latter part of his life, his landscapes were
always of a small size ; but they are beautiful and exqui-
sitely finished, and frequently he painted them on copper.
The genuine works of this eminent master are now rarely
to be met with, especially those of the larger size, and
they afford prices that are extremely high in every part of
Europe. Sandrart observes, that in his time the pictures
of Paul Brill were eagerly coveted in all countries where
the polite arts are encouraged ; that abundance of p«r-

1 Pilkington.— -Detcamps.

BRILL. 3

chasers appeared at tbe public sales, ambitious to possess*
them ; and that very large sums of money were given fot
them whenever they could be procured. And it seems
that their intrinsic value is not diminished, since, a very
few years ago, one of the landscapes of this master sold in
Holland for 160/. and another, at an auction in London,
for 1 20 guineas or upwards, and yet they were deemed to
be cheaply purchased. He died in 1626, aged seventy-
two. *

BRINDLEY (James), a man of a most uncommon ge-
nius for mechanical inventions, and who particularly ex-
celled in planning and conducting inland navigations, was
born at Tunsted, in the parish of Wormhill, and county of
Derby, in 1716. His parents were possessed of a little
freehold, the small income of which his father dissipated
by a fondness for shooting and other field-diversions, and
by keeping company with people above his rank. The
consequence of this was, that his son was so totally neg-
lected, that he did not receive the ordinary rudiments of
education. The necessities of the family were so pressing,
that young Brindley was obliged, as early as possible, to
contribute towards its support ; and, till he was nearly
seventeen years of age, he was employed in those kinds of
light labour which are usually assigned, in country places,
to the children of the poor. At this period of his life, he
bound himself apprentice to one Sennet, a mill-wright,
near Macclesfield, in Cheshire, and soon became expert
in the business; besides which, he quickly discovered a
strong attachment to the mechanic arts in general, and a
ggnius for extending them much farther than they had
hitherto been carried. In the early part of bis apprentice-
ship, he was frequently left by himself, for whole weeks
together, to execute works concerning which his master
had given him n* previous instructions. These works,
therefore, he finished in his own way ; and Mr. Bennet was
often astonished at the improvements his apprentice, from
time to time, introduced into the mill-wright business, and
earnestly questioned him from whence he had gained his
knowledge. He had not been long at the trade, before
the millers, wherever he had been employed, always chose
bim again, in preference to the master, or any other work-
man ; and, before the expiration of his servitude, at which

? PiiJungton.-^Strutt— Ai^eaviUe.— Descamps.

B 2

* BRINDLEY.

time Mr. Sennet, who was advanced in years, grew unable
to work) Mr. Brindley, by his ingenuity and application,
kept up the business with credit, and supported the old
man and his family in a comfortable manner.

It may not be amiss to mention a singular instance of
our young mechanic's active and earnest attention to the
improvement of mill-work. His master having been em*
ployed to build an engine paper-mill, which was the first
of the kind that had been attempted in those parts, went
to see one of them at work, as a model to copy after. But,
notwithstanding this., when he had begun to build the mill,
ai?d prepare the wheels, the people of the neighbourhood
"were informed by a millwright, who happened to travel
thai road, that Mr. Bennet was throwing his employers*
money away, and would never be able to complete, to
any effectual purpose, the work he had undertaken. Mr.
Brindley, hearing of the report, and being sensible that
he could not depend upon his master for proper instruc-
tions, determined to see, with his own eyes, the mill in*
tended to be copied. Accordingly, without mentioning
his design to a single person, he set out, on a Saturday
evening, after he had finished the business of the day »
travelled fifty miles on foot ; took a view of the mill; re-
turned back, in time for his work, on Monday morning ;
informed Mr. Bennet wherein he had been deficient; and
completed the engine, to the entire satisfaction of the
proprietors. Besides this, he made a considerable im-
provement in the press-paper.

Mr. Brindley afterwarda engaged in the mill-wright
business onr his own account, and, by many useful inven-
tions and contrivances, advanced it to a higher degree of
perfection than it had formerly attained ; so that he ren-
dered himself greatly valued in his neighbourhood, as a
most ingenious mechanic. By degrees, his fame began to
spread itself wider in the country, and his genius was no
longer confined to the particular branch in which he had
hitherto been employed. In 1752, be erected a very ex-
traordinary water-engine at Clifton, in Lancashire, for. the
purpose of draining some coal-mines, which before were
worked at an enormous expence. The water for the use
of this engine was brought out of the river Irwell, by a
subterraneous tunnel, nearly six hundred yards in length*
carried through a rock ; and the wheel was fixed thirty
feet below the surface of the ground. Mr. Brindley'*

BRINDLEY. 5

TOperiority to the mechanics in that part of the kingdom
where he resided, being now well ascertained, and bis
reputation having reached the metropolis, he was em*
ployed by N. Pattison, esq. of London, and some other
gentlemen, in 1755, to execute the larger wheels for a
new silk-mill, at Congleton, in* Cheshire. The execution
of the smaller wheels, and of the tnor^ complex part of
the machinery, was committed to another person, and that
person had the superintendancy of the whole. He was
not, however, equal to the undertaking; for he was obliged,
after various efforts, to confess his inability to complete
it The proprietors, upon this, being greatly alarmed,
thought fit to call in the assistance of Mr. Brindley ; but
still left the general management of the construction of
the silk-mill to the former engineer, who refused to let
him see the whole model, and, by giving him his work to
perform in detached pieces, without acquainting him with
the result which was wanted, affected to treat him as a
common mechanic. Mr. Brindley, who, in the conscious-
ness of genius, felt his own superiority to the man who
thus assumed an ascendancy over him, would not submit to
such unworthy treatment. He told the proprietors, that
if they would let him know what was the effect they wished
to have produced, and would permit him to perform the
business in his own way, be would finish the mill to their
satisfaction. This assurance, joined with the knowledge
they had of his ability and integrity, induced them to
trust the completion of the mill solely to his care ; and he
accomplished that very curjqus and complex piece of ma-
chinery in a manner far superior to the expectations of his
employers. They had not solely the pleasure of seeing it
established, with a most masterly skill, according to the
plan originally proposed, but of having it constructed with
the addition of many new and useful improvements. There
was one contrivance in particular, for winding the silk
upon the bobbins equally, and not in wreaths ; and another
for stopping, in an instant, not only the whole of this ex-
tensive system throughout its various and numerous apart-
ments, but any part of it individually. He invented, like-
wise, machines for making all the tooth and pinion wheels
of the different engines. These wheels had hitherto been
cut by hand, with great labour, but by means of Mr.
Brindley's machines, as much work could be performed in
one day as. had heretofore required fourteen. The pot-

6 BR1NDLEY.

teries of Staffordshire were also, about this time, indebted
to him for several ^valuable additions in the mills used by
them for grinding flint stones, by which that process was
greatly facilitated.

In the year 1756, Mr. Brindley undertook to erect a
steam-engine, near Newcastle-under- Line, upon a new
plan. The boiler of it was made with brick and stone, in-
stead of iron plates ; and the water was heated by fire-flues
of a peculiar construction ; by which contrivances the con-
sumption of fuel, necessary for forking a steam-engine,
was reduced one half. He introduced, likewise, in this
engine, cylinders of wood, made in the manner of coopers
ware, instead of iron ones; the former being not only
cheaper, but more easily managed in the shafts ; and he
substituted wood too for iron in the chains which worked
at the end of the beam. His inventive genius displayed
itself in various other useful contrivances, which would pro-
bably have brought the steam-engine to a great degree of
perfection, if a number of obstacles had not been thrown
in his way by some interested engineers, who strenuously
opposed any improvements which they could not call their
own. ,

The disappointment of Mr. Brindley's good designs in
this respect must have made the less impression upon him,
as his attention was soon after called off to another object,
which, in its consequences, hath proved to be of the
highest national importance ; namely, the projecting and
executing of Inland Navigations, from whence the great-
est benefits arise to trade and, commerce. By these na-
vigations the expence of carriage is lessened ; a communi-
cation is opened from one part of the kingdom to another,
and from each of those parts to the sea; and hence the
products and manufactures of the country are afforded at a
moderate price. In this period of our great mechanic's
life, we shall see the powers given him by the God of Na-
ture, displayed in the production of events, which, in any
age less pregnant with admirable works of ingenuity than
the present, would have constituted a national sera. Wo
shall see him triumphing over all the suggestions of envy
or prejudice, though aided by the weight of established
customs; and giving full scope to the operations of a
strong and comprehensive mind, which was equal to the
most arduous undertakings. This he .did under the pro-
tection of a noble duke, who had the discernment to single

BRINDLEY. ' 7

hltm out, and the steadiness and generosity to ""support
him, against the opinions of those who treated Mr. Brind-
ley's plans as chimeras,, and laughed at his patron as an
idle projector..

His grace the late duke of Bridgewater had, at Worslejv
about seven miles from Manchester, a large estate, rich
With mines of coal, which had hitherto lain useless in the
bowels of the earth, because the expence of carriage by
land was too great to find a market for consumption. The
duke, wishing to* work these mines, perceived the neces-
sity of a canal from Worsley to Manchester; upon, which
occasion, Mr. Brindley, who was now become famous in
the country, was consisted. Having surveyed the ground,,
he declared the scheme to be practicable. In consequence
of this, an act was obtained, in 1758 and 1759, for en-
abling his grace to cut a canal from Worsley to Salford,
hear Manchester, and to carry the same to or near Hollin
Ferry, in the county of Lancaster. It being, however,
afterwards discovered, that the navigation would be more
beneficial, both to the duke of Bridgewater and the public,
if carried, over the river Irwell, near Barton bridge, tp
Manchester, his grace applied again to parliament, and
procured an act, which enabled him to vary the course of
bis canal agreeably to this new plan, and likewise to ex-
tend a side branch to Longford bridge in Stretford. Mr,
Brindley, , in the mean time, had begun these great under-
takings, being the first of the kind ever attempted, igi
England, with navigable subterraneous tunnels and ele*
vated aqueducts. The principle laid down at the com-
mencement of this business reflects much honour on the
noble undertaker, as well as upon bis engineer. It was
resolved that the canal should be perfect in its kind, and
that, in order to preserve the level of the water, it should
jbe free from the usual obstructions of locks. But, in ac-
complishing this end, many difficulties occurred, . which
were deemed unsurmountable. It was necessary that the
canal should be carried over rivers, and many large and
deep vallies, where it was evident that such stupendous
mounds of earth must be raised, as could scarcely, it was
thought, be completed by the labour of ages : and, above
all, it was not known from what source so large a supply
of water could be drawn, as, even upon this improved
plan, would be requisite for the navigation. But Mr,
JBrincUey, with a strength of mind peculiar to himself, and

8 BRINDLEY.

being possessed of the confidence of his great patron, who
spared no expence to accomplish his favourite design, con*
quered all the embarrassments thrown in his way, not only
from the nature of the undertaking itself, but by the pas*
sions and prejudices of interested individuals : and the ad-
mirable machines he contrived, and the methods he tookj
to facilitate the progress, of the work, brought on such a
rapid execution of it, that the world began to wonder how
it could have been esteemed so difficult. Thus ready are
men to find out pretences for lessening the merit of others,
and for hiding, if possible, from themselves, the unplea-
sant idea of their own inferiority.

When the canal was completed as far as Barton, where
the Irwell is navigable for large vessels, Mr. Brindley
proposed to carry it over that river, by an aqueduct of
thirty-nine feet above the surface of the water. This,
however, being generally considered as a wild and extra-
vagant project, he desired, in order to justify his conduct
towards his noble employer, that the opinion of another
engineer might be taken ; believing that he could easily
convince an intelligent person of the practicability of his
design. A gentleman of eminence was accordingly called
in ; who, being conducted to the place where it was in-
tended that the aqueduct should be made, ridiculed the at*
tempt; and when the height and dimensions were com-
municated to him, he exclaimed, " I have often heard of
castles in the, air, but never before was shewn where any
of them were to be erected." This unfavourable verdict
did not deter the duke of Bridgewater from following the
opinion of his own engineer. The aqueduct was immedi-
ately begun ; and it was carried on with such rapidity and
success, as astonished all those who but a little before con-
demned it as a chimerical scheme. This work commenced
in September, 1760, and the first boat sailed over it on the
17th of July, 1761. From that time, it was not uncom-
mon to see a boat loaded with forty tons drawn over the.
aqueduct, with great ease, by one or two mules ; white
below, against the stream of the Irwell, persons had the
pain of beholding ten or twelve men tugging at an equal
draught : a striking instance of the superiority of a. canal-
navigation over that of a river not in the tideway. The
works were then extended to Manchester, at which place
the curious machine for landing coals upon the top of the
bill, gives a pleasing idea of Mr. Brindley's address in dum%

B R IN D L E V. 9

mshing labour by mechanical contrivances. It may here
be observed, that the bason, in particular, for conveying
the superfluous water into the Irwell, below the canal, is
an instance of what an attentive survey of this ingenious
man's works will abundantly evince, that, where occasiorf
offered, he well knew how to unite elegance With utility.

The duke of Bridgewater perceiving, more and more,
the importance of these inland navigations, extended his
ideas to Liverpool ; and though he had every difficulty to
encounter, that could arise from the novelty of, his under-
takings, or the fears and prejudices of. those whose in-
terests were likely to be effected by them, his grace hap-
pily overcame all opposition, and obtained, in 1762, an
act of parliament for branching his canal to the tideway id
the Mersey. This part of the canal is carried over the
livers Mersey and Bollan, and over many wide and deep
tallies. Over the vallies it is conducted without the assist-
ance of a single lock ; the level of the water being pre-
served by raising a mound of earth, and forming therein a
inould, as it may be called, for the water. Across the val-
ley at Stretford, through which the Mersey runs, this kind
or work extends nearly a mile. A person might naturally
have been led to conclude, that the conveyance of such a
mass of earth must have employed all the horses and car*
riages in die country, and that the completion of it would
be the business of an age. But our excellent mechanic
made his canal subservient to this part of his design, and
brought the soil in boats of a peculiar construction, which
were conducted into caissoons or cisterns. On opening
the bottoms of the boats, the earth was deposited where it
. was wanted ; and thus, in the easiest and simplest manner,
the valley was elevated to a proper level for continuing the
canal. The ground across the Bollan was raised by tem-
porary locks, which were formed of the timber used in the
caissoons just mentioned. In the execution of every part
of the navigation, Mr. Brindley displayed singular skill
and ingenuity ; and, in order to facilitate his purpose, he
produced many valuable machines, which ought never to
be forgotten in this kingdom. Neither ought the (Economy
and forecast which are apparent through the whole work to
be omitted. His ceconomy and forecast are peculiarly dis-
cernible in the stops, or floodgates, fixed in the canal,
where it is above the level of the land. These stops are so
constructed, that, should any of the banks give way, and

10 B R I N D L E Y.

thereby occasion a current, the adjoining gates will rise by
that motion, only, and prevent any other part of the water
from escaping than what is near the breach between the
two gates.

% The success with which £he duke of Bridgewater's under-
takings were crowned, encouraged a number of gentlemen
and manufacturers, in Staffordshire, to revive the idea of
a canal navigation through that cpunty, for the advance-
ment of the landed interest and the benefit of trade, in
conveying to market, at a cheaper rate, the products and
.manufactures of the interior parts of the kingdom. This
plan was patronized, and generously supported, by lord
Gower and Mr. Anson ; and it met with the concurrence
of many persons of rank, fortune, and influence in the
neighbouring counties. Mr. Brindley was, therefore, en-
gaged to make a survey from the Trent to the Mersey ; and,
upon bis reporting that it was practicable to construct a
canal, from one of these rivers to the. other, and thereby to
unite the ports of Liverpool and Hull, a subscription for
carrying it into execution was set on foot in 1765, and an
act of parliament was obtained in the same year. In 1766,
this canal, caljed, by the proprietors, " The Canal from
the Trent to the Mersey," but more emphatically, by the
engineer, the Grand Trunk Navigation, on account of the
numerous branches which, he justly supposed, would be
extended every way from it, was begun ; and, under his
direction, it was conducted, with great spirit and suc-
cess, as long as he lived. Mr. Brindley's life not being
continued to the completion of this important and ar-
duous undertaking, he left it to be finished by his
brother-in-law, Mr. Henshall, who put the last hand
to it, in May 1777, being somewhat less than eleven
years after its commencement. We need not say, that
the final execution of the Grand Trunk Navigation gave
the highest satisfaction to the proprietors, and excited a
general joy in a populous country, the inhabitants of which
already receive every advantage they could wish from so
truly noble an enterprize. This canal is ninety-three miles
in length ; and, besides a large number of bridges over it,
has sevepty-six locks and five tunnels. The most remark-
able of the tunnels is the subterraneous passage "of Hare-
castle, being 2880 yards in length, and more then seventy
yards below the surface of the earth. The scheme of this
inland navigation had employed the thoughts of the inge*

B R I N D L E Y. 11

nious part of the kingdom for upwards of twenty years be-
fore, and some surveys had been made. But Harecastle
hill, through which the tunnel is constructed, could nei-
ther be avoided nor overcome by any expedient the ablest
engineers could devise. It was Mr. Brindley alone who
surmounted this and other difficulties, arising from the va-
riety of measures, strata, and quick-sands, which none
but himself would have attempted.

Soon after the navigation from the Trent to the Mersey
was undertaken, application was made to parliament, by
the gentlemen of Staffordshire and Worcestershire, for
leave to construct a canal from the Grand Trunk, near Hay-
wood in Staffordshire, to the river Severn, near Bewdley.
The act being obtained, the design was executed by our
great engineer, and hereby the port of Bristol was added
to the two before united ports of Liverpool and Hull. This
canal, which is about forty-six miles in length, was com-
pleted in 1772. Mr. Brindley's next undertaking was the
purvey and execution of a canal from Birmingham, to unite
with the Staffordshire and Worcestershirecanal near Wol-
verhampton. This navigation, which was finished in about
three years, is twenty-six miles in length. As, by the
means of it, vast quantities of coals are conveyed to the
jriver Severn, as well as to Birmingham, where there must
be a peculiar demand for them, extraordinary advantages
have hence accrued to manufactures and commerce. Our
engineer advised the proprietors of the last mentioned na*
vigation, in order to avoid the inconvenience of locks, and
to supply the canal more effectually with water, to have a
tunnel at Smethwick. This would have rendered it a com-
plete work. But his advice was rejected, and, to supply
the deficiency, the managers have lately erected two of
Messrs. Watts and Boulton's steam-engines. The canal
from Droitwich to the river Severn, for the conveyance of
salt and coals, was likewise executed by Mr. Brindley.
By him, also, , the Coventry navigation was planned, and
it was a short time under his direction. But a dispute
arising concerning the mode of execution, he resigned his
office ; which, it is imagined, the proprietors of that un-
dertaking* have since had cause to lament Some little
time before his death, Mr. Brindley began the Oxfordshire
canal. This unites with the Coventry canal, and forms a
continuation of the Graud Trunk Navigation to Oxford, and
tkepce by the Thames to London. The canal from Cbes-

12 B R I N D L E Y.

terfield to the river Trent at Slbckwith, was the last pub*
lie undertaking in which Mr. Brindley engaged. He sur-
veyed and planned the whole, and executed some miles of
the navigation, which was succesfully 6nished by Mr. Hen-
shall, in 1777. There were few works of this nature pro*
jected, in any part of the kingdom, in which our engineer
was not consulted. He was employed, in particular, by
the City of London, to survey a course for a canal from
Sunning, near Reading in Berkshire, to Monkey island,
near Maidenhead. But when application was made to par-
liament, for leave to effect the design, the bill met with
such a violent opposition from the land-owners, that it was
defeated.

Mi". Brindley had, for some time, the direction of the
Calder navigation ; but he declined a farther inspection of
it, on account of a difference in opinion among the com-
missioners. In the year 1766, he laid out a canal from the
river Calder, at Cooper's bridge, to Huddersfield in York-
shire, which hath since been carried into execution. In
1768, he revised the plan for the inland navigation from
Leeds to Liverpool. He was, likewise, at the first general
meeting of the proprietors after the act of parliament had
been obtained, appointed the engineer for conducting the
work : but the multiplicity of his other engagements
obliged him to decline this employment. In the same year,
he planned a canal from Stockton, by Darlington, to Win-
ston in the bishopric of Durham. Three plans, of the like
iind, were formed by him in 1769; one from Leeds to
iSelby ; another from the Bristol channel, near Uphill in
Somersetshire, to Glastonbury, Taunton, Wellington, Ti-
verton, and Exeter; and a third from Langport, in the
county of Somerset, by way of Ilminster, Chard, and Ax-
minster, to the South channel, at Axmototh, in the county
of Devon. In 1770, he surveyed the country, for a canal
from ,Andover, by way of Stockbridge and Rumsey, to
Redbridge, near Southampton; and, in 1771, from Salis-
bury, by Fordingbridge and Ringwood, to Christchurch.
He performed the like office, in 1772, for a navigation of
the same kind, proposed to be carried on from Preston to
Lancaster, and from thence to Kendal, in Westmoreland.
He surveyed, likewise, and planned out a canal, to join
that of the duke of Bridgewater's at Runcorn, from Liver-
pool. If this scheme had been executed, it was Mr. Brind-
ley's intention to have constructed the work, by an> aque~

BRINDLEY. *3

4

4uct over the river Mersey, at a. place where the tide
flows fourteen feet in height. He also surveyed the county
qi Chester, for a canal from the Grand Trunk to the city of
Chester. The plan for joining the Forth and the Clyde
was revised by him ; and he proposed . some considerable
alterations, particularly with regard to the deepening of the
Clyde, which have . been attended to by the managers.
He was consulted upon several improvements with respect
to the draining of the low lands, in different parts of Lin-
colnshire .and the Isle of Ely. A canal was, likewise, laid
out by him, for uniting that of Chesterfield, by the way
of Derby, with the Grand Trunk at Swarkstone. To the
corporation of Liverpool, he gave a plan for cleansing
their docks of mud. This hath been put into execution
with the desired effect : and he pointed out, also, the me-
thod, which has been attended with equal success, of
building wails against the sea without mortar. The last of
our great mechanic's ingenious and uncommon contrivan-
ces, that we shall mention, is his improvement of the ma-
chine for drawing water out of mines, by a losing and a
gaining bucket. This be afterwards employed, to advan-
tage, in raising up coals from the mines.
• When any extraordinary difficulty occurred to Mr. Brind-
ley, in the execution of his works, having little or no as-
sistance from books, or the labours of other men, his re-*
sources lay within himself. In order, therefore, to be quiet
and uninterrupted, whilst be was in search of the neces-
sary expedients, he generally retired to his bed ; and be
has been known to lie there one, two, or three days, till
he had attained the object in view. He then would get
up, and execute his design without any drawing or model;
Indeed, it never was his custom to make either, unless he
was obliged to. do it to satisfy his employers. His memory
was so remarkable, that he has often declared that he
could remember, and execute, all the parts of the most
complex machine, provided he had time, in his survey of
it, to settle in his mind the several departments, and
their relations to each other. His method of calculating
the powers of any machine invented by him, was peculiar
to himself. He worked the question for some time in his
head, and then put down the results in figures. After
this, taking it up again in that stage, he worked it farther
in his mind, for a certain time, and set down the results as
before. la the same '*ay he still proceeded, making use

n

14 B R I N D L E V.

of figures only at stated periods of the question. Yet the
ultimate result was generally true, though the road be tra-
velled in search of it was unknown to all but himself;
and, perhaps, it would not have been in his power to have,
shewn it to another.

The attention which was paid by Mr. Brindley to objects
of peculiar magnitude did not permit him to indulge him-
self in the common diversions of life. Indeed, he had not
the least relish for the amusements to which mankind, in
general, are so much devoted. He never seemed in his
element, if he was not either planning or executing some
great work, or conversing with his friends upon subjects of
importance. He was once prevailed upon, when in Lon-
don, to see a play. Having never been at an entertain-
ment of this kind before, it had a powerful effect upon
him, and he complained, for several days afterward,* that
it had disturbed his ideas, and rendered him unfit for busi-
ness. He declared, therefore, that he would not go to
another play upon any account. It might, however, have
contributed to the longer duration of Mr. Brindley' s life,
and consequently to the farther benefit of the public, if
he could have occasionally relaxed the tone of his mind.
His not being able to do so, might not solely arise from the
vigour of his genius, always bent upon capital designs ;
but be, in part, the result of that total want of education,*
which, while it might add strength to his powers in the
particular way in which they were exerted, precluded him,
at the same time, from those agreeable reliefs that are ad-
ministered by miscellaneous reading, and a taste in the
polite and elegant arts. The only fault he was observed to
fall into, was his suffering himself to be prevailed upon to
engage in more concerns than could be completely at-
tended to by any single man, how eminent soever might
be his abilities and diligence. It is apprehended that, by
this means, Mr. Brindley shortened his days, and, in a cer-
tain degree, abridged his usefulness. There is, at least,
the utmost reason to believe, that his intense application,
in general, to the important undertakings he had in hand;
brought on a hectic fever, which continued upon him,
with little or no intermission, for some years, and at
length terminated his life. He died, at Turnhurst, in
Staffordshire, on the 30th of September, 1772, in the
56th year of his age, and was buried at New chapel in the
same county, where an altar-tomb has been erected to his

BRIND L E Y. 15

memory. The vast works Mr. Brindley was engaged in at
the time of his death, he left to be carried on and com-
pleted by his brother-in-law, Mr. Henshall, for whom he
had a peculiar regard, and of whose integrity and abilities
in conducting these works, he had the highest opinion.

Thns was the world- deprived, at a comparatively early
period, of this great genius

'* Of mother wit, and wise without the schools,"

who very soon gave indications of uncommon talents, and
extensive views, in the application of mechanical princi-
ples; and who, by a happy concurrence of circumstances^
the chief of which was the patronage of bis grace the duke
of Bridgewater, was favoured with an opportunity of un-
folding and displaying his wonderful powers, in the exe-
cution of works new to this country, and .such as will ex-
tend his fame, and endear his memory, to future times. The
public could only recognize the merit of this extraordinary
man in the stupendous undertakings which he carried to.
perfection, and exhibited to general view. But those who
had the advantage of conversing with him familiarly, and
of knowing him well in his private character, .respected
him still more for the uniform and unshaken integrity of
his conduct ; for his steady attachment to the interest of
the community ; for the vast compass of his understanding*
which seemed to. have % natural affinity with all grand ob-
jects; and, Jikewise, for many noble and beneficent de-
signs, constantly generating in his mind, and which the
multiplicity of his engagements, and the shortness of his
life, prevented him from bringing to maturity. l
■ BRINSLEY (John), a. nonT conformist divine, was born
at Ashby-de-la-Zoucb, in Leicestershire, in 1600. His
father was also a divine of the puritan kind,, and master of
the school at Asbby* The noted astrologer William Lilly,
was at bis school in 1613. His mother was sister to bishop
Hall. : After being educated by his father, he was admitted
of Emanuel college, Cambridge, at the age of thirteen
and a half. . Having resided there three or four years, he
attended his uncle Hall, then dean of Worcester, as his
amanuensis, to the synod of JDort, and after his return,
resumed his studies at Cambridge, and being elected scho-<

1 Biog. Brit, an artiele procured from Mr. Hon shall, Brindley's brother-in-
law, by Messrs.. Wedg* wood and Bentley, and much of it drawn np by the lat«"
ttr.— PhUips's Hist, of Inland Navigation, &c.

16 3 A I N S L E Y.

Jar of the bouse, resided there until he took his degrees*
When ordained he preached first at Preston, near Chelms-
ford, then at Somerleyton in Suffolk, and lastly was caHed
to Yarmouth, on the election of the township, but his prin-
ciples being objected to by Dr. Harsnet, bishop of Nor-
wich, be could only preach on the week days at a country
village adjoining, whither the people of Yarmouth fol-
lowed hipa, until the township applied to the king for his
licence for Mr. Brinsley to preach in Yarmouth. This
being granted by his majesty, be remained there until the
restoration, when he was ejected with his numerous bre-
thren, who refused the terms of conformity. Although a
man of moderate sentiments, he appears to have been in-
flexible in the points which divided so large a body of
clergymen from the church, and is said to have refused
considerable preferment to induce him to remain in ifc
He is praised by his biographer for piety, and extensive
learning in theology. He died Jan, 22, 1665. Ha wrote
several treatises enumerated by Calamy, none of which,
we believe, are now much known. He had a son, Robert,
who was ejected from the university, and afterwards stu-
died and took his degree of M. D, at Leyden, and prac-
tised at Yarmouth. J

BRISSON (Barnaby), president of the parliament of
Paris, and an eminent lawyer, was born at Fontenay ia
Poictou, about the middle of the sixteenth century. He
appeared at first with great eclat at the bar of the parlia-
ment; and, by his knowledge and skill in the law, ite*
commended himself so powerfully to Henry HI. of France*
that this prince first made him his advocate general, tbeii
counsellor of state, and in 1580, honoured him with the
dignity of president of the parliament. Scaevola Sammar-
thanus relates, that Henry IIL declared in his hearirtg}
that there was not a prince in Christendom, who could
boast of so learned a man as Barnaby Brissott. The king
employed him in several negociations, and rent him am-
bassador into England. At his return, he employed him td
make a collection of his own ordinances, and of thos& of
his predecessors ; which he performed with wonderful ex-
pedition. He wrote some works in law: " De verbofurai,
queD ad jus pertinent, significatione." " De fortnuiis et
sojemnibus populi Romani verbis," Paris, 1583, fol. »" De

1 Calamy.— Lillys Life and Times, p. 5, 6, 8, edit, 1774.

BRISSOK. 17

*egio Persarum principatu,9' &c. 1580, 1590, 1599, 8to;
1606, 4to ; but the best edition is that of Strasburgh, 1710,
8vo, with Sylburgius' notes. He gave 4ti expectation of
more considerable performances; but his life was shortened
by a very unfortunate accident Living at Paris when!
t^at rebellious city was besieged by Henry IV. he demon-
strated against the treasonable practices of the leaguers,
who, under pretence of the holy union, contemned the
royal authority, which was much more sacred. These re-
ligious traitors, being dissatisfied with his loyalty, fell vio-
lently upon him, dragged him to prison, and cruelly
strangled him the 1 5th of Nov. 1591. '

BR1SSOT (Peter), an eminent French physician, waa
born at Fontenai-le-Comte, in Poitou^ 1478, and about
1495 was sent to Paris, where he went through a course
of philosophy under Villemar, a famous professor of those
times. By his advice, Brissot resolved to be a physician,
and studied phytic there for four years. Then he began
to teach philosophy in the university of Paris ; and, va7ter
he had done this for ten years, prepared himself for the
examinations necessary to his doctor of physic's degree;
which he took in May 1514. Being one of those men
who are not contented with custom and tradition*, but
choose to examine for themselves, he made an exact com-
parison between the practice of his own times and the
doctrine of Hippocrates and Galen : and he found that the
Arabians had introduced many things into physib that were
contrary to the doctrine of those two great masters, and to
reason and experience. He set himself therefore to re-
form physic ; and for this purpose undertook publicly to
explain Galen's books, instead of those of Avicenna, Rha«
sis, and Mesu'f, which were commonly explained in the
schools of physic ; but, finding himself obstructed in the
work of reformation by his ignorance of botany, he resolved
to travel, in order to acquire the knowledge bf plants, and

}>ut himself into a capacity of correcting pharmacy. Be-
ore^ however, he left Paris, he undertook to convince the
public of what he deemed an inveterate err >r ; but which
now is considered as a matter of little consequence. The
constant practice of physicians, in the pleurisy^ was to
bleed from the arm, not on the side where the distemper
was, but the opposite side. Brissot disputed about it in

1 Morrri.— Cbaufepie. — Diet Hist. — Frefceri Tkeatnim.— Blount's Censura.
—Mem nr» of Literature, vol. IV. p. 7.

Vol. VII. C

y

18 B R I S S O T.

the physic-schools, confuted that practice, and shewed
chat it was falsely pretended to be agreeable to the doc-
trine of Hippocrates and Galen. He then left Paris in
1518, and went to Portugal, stopping there at Ebora^
whefe he practised physic ; but his new way of bleeding
in* the pleurisy, notwithstanding his great success, did not
please every body. He received a long and rude letter
about it from Denys, physician to the king of Portugal ;
which he answered, and would have published if death had
not prevented him in 1522. It was printed, however, three
years after at Paris, and reprinted at Basil in 1529. Re-
natus Moreau published a new edition of it at Paris in
1622, with a treatise of his own, " De missione sanguinis
in pleuritide," and the life of "Brissot ; out of which this
account is taken. He never would marry, being of opinion
that matrimony did not well agree with study. One thing
is related of him, which his biographer, rather uncharita-
bly, says, deserves to be taken notice of, because it is
singular in the men of his profession; and it is, that he
did not love gain. He cared so little for it, that when he
was called to a sick person, he looked into his purse ; and,
if he found but two pieces of gold fn it, refused to go.
This, "however, it is acknowledged, was owing to his great
love of study, from which it was very difficult to take him.
The dispute between Denys and Brissot raised a kind of
civil war among the Portuguese physicians. The business
was brought before the tribunal of the university of Sala-
manca, where it was thoroughly discussed by the faculty
of physic ; but in the mean time, the partisans of Denys
had recourse to the authority of the secular power, and
obtained a decree, forbidding physicians to bleed on the
fcame side in which the pleurisy was. At last the univer-
sity of Salamanca gave their judgment ; importing, that
the opinion of Brissot was the true doctrine of Hippocrates
and Galen. The followers of Denys appealed to the em-
peror about 1529, thinking themselves superior both in
authority and number ; and the matter was brought before
Charles V. They were not contented to call the doctrine
of their adversaries false ; they added that it was impious,
mortal, and as pernicious to the body as Luther's schism
to the soul. They not only blackened the reputatioti of
their adversaries by private arts, but also openly accused
them of ignorance and rashness,, of attempts on. religion,
and of being downright Lutherans in physic. It fell out

BRISSOf. 19

unluckily 'for them, that Charles III. duke of Savoy, hap-»;
pened to die of a pleurisy, after he had been bled accord-
ing .to. the practice which Brissot opposed. Had it not
been for this, the emperor, it is thought, would have grant-
ed every thing that Brissot's adversaries desired of him ;
but this accident induced him to leave. the cause undecided.
"Two things," says Bayle, in his usual prattling way^
" occur in this relation* which all wise men must needs
condemn; namely, the base, the disingenuous, the. unphi-
losophic custom of interesting religion in disputes about
science, and the folly and absurdity. of magistrates to be
concerned in such disputes. A magistrate is for the most
part a very incompetent judge of such matters ; and, as her
knows nothing of them, so he ought to. imitate Gallio in
this at least, that is, not to care for them ; but to leave
those whose business it is, to fight it out among themselves.
Besides, authority has nothing to do with philosophy and
the sciences ; it should be kept at a great distance froth;
them, for the same reason that armed forces are removed
from a borough at the time of a general assize ; namely,
that reason and equity may have, their full play." l

BRISSOT DE WARVILLE (James Peter), a very,
active agent in the French revolution, and a victim to the
tyranny he had created, was the son of the master of an
eating-house, and boru in 1754 at Chartres in the Orlean-
nois. After receiving a good education, he was intended
for the. bar, but having served a clerkship for five years^
he relinquished the further prosecution of the law, in or-
der to study literature and the sciences ; and an accidental
acquaintance with some Englishmen, and the perusal of
some English books, seem to have confirmed this determi-
nation. About this time be changed, the appellation, of
" de Ouarvilie" to that of Warville, agreeable to the Eng-
lish pronunciation. Having by relinquishing the law in-
curred his father's displeasure* he was indebted tq the
bounty of some .friends, who enabled him to prosecute his
studies at Paris for two years r after which he became edi*
tor of the " Courier de TEurope," a paper printed at Bou>
logne ; but this being discontinued on account of some ar-
ticles inimical to government, he returned to Paris, and in
imitation of Voltaire, Diderot, and D'Alembert, who, aa
he imagined, had destroyed religious tyranny,, began to

» Baylt.— Moreri.— Haller Bibl. Med, Pract.

C 2

20 B R I S S O T.

attempt the destruction of political tyranny, which he fan-
cied was reserved for his irresistible pen. To develope the
whole of his plan, however, was not his aim at first : and
be began, therefore, with attacking such abuses as might
have been removed without any injury to an established con-
stitution, but which, as they could not be wholly denied, he
endeavoured to trace from the very nature of monarchy.
With this view he published some works on criminal juris-
prudence, as, in 1780, his "Theory of Criminal laws," 2
vols. 8vo, and two papers arising out of the subject, which
gained the prize in 1782, at the academy of Chalons-sur-
Marne. He also began a work which was afterwards com-
pleted in 10 vols, .8vo, " A philosophical library of the
criminal law," and a volume concerning "Truth" and
"Thoughts on the means of attaining Truth in all the
branches of human knowledge," which he intended mere-
ly as an introduction to a work on a more enlarged and
comprehensive plan. To all these he annexed ideas of sin-
gular importance and utility, although his notions are
crude, and his knowledge superficial*

Brissot, at the period of his residence at Boulogne, had
been introduced to mademoiselle Dupont, who was em-
ployed under mad. de Genlis as reader to the daughter of
the duke of Orleans, and whose mother kept a lodging-
house in that place: and having married this lady, he
found it necessary to exert his literary talents for gaining
a subsistence. But as France did not afford that liberty,
which he wished to indulge, he formed a design of printing,
in Swisserland or Germany, a series of works in a kind of
periodical publication, under the title of " An universal
Correspondence on points interesting to the welfare of
Man and of Society," which he proposed to smuggle into
France. With this view, he visited Geneva and NeQ-
ehatel, in order to establish correspondences ; and he also
made a journey to London, which was to be the central
point of the establishment, and the fixed residence of the
writers. His intentions, however, were divulged by the
treachery of some of his confidential associates ; and the
scheme totally failed. During his abode in London, he
concerted the plan of a periodical work or journal, on the
literature, arts, and politics of England, which, being pub-
lished in London, was allowed to be reprinted at Paris, and
first appeared in J 784. The avowed object of this publi-
cation, as he himself declares, was " the universal eman-

B R I S S O T. 21

/ *

w

cipation of men." In London, he was arrested for debt ;
but, being liberated by the generosity of a friend, he re-
turned to Paris, where he was committed to the Bastille
in July 1784, on the charge of being concerned in a very
obnoxious publication. Put by the interest of the duke
of Orleans, he was released, on condition of never residing
in England, and discontinuing his political correspondence*
In 1735, he published two letters to the emperor Joseph
II. " Concerning the Right of Emigration, and the Right
of the People to revolt," which, he applied particularly to
the case of the Walachians : and in the following year ap-
peared bis " Philosophical Letters on the History of Eng-
land," in 2 vols, and " A critical Examination of the Tra-
vels of the marquis de Chatelleux in North America." With
a view of promoting a ilose, political, and commercial
union between France and the United States, he wrote in
1787, with the assistance of Claviere, a tract, entitled
u De la France et des Etats Unis, &c." " On France and
the United States ; or on the Importance of the American
Revolution to the kingdom of France, and the reciprocal
advantages which will accrue from a commercial Inter-
course between the two nations." Of this work, an Eng-
lish translation was published, both in England and Ame-
rica. At this time he was in the service of the duke of
Orleans, as secretary to his chancery, with a handsome
salary, and apartments in the palais royal ; and, without
doubt, employed in aiding that monster in his schemes of
ambition. In this situation, he wrote a pamphlet against
the administration of the archbishop of Sens, entitled " No
Bankruptcy, &c." which occasioned the issuing of a lettre
de cachet against him. But to avoid its effect, he went
to Holland, England, and the Low Countries; and at
Mechlin, he edited a newspaper, called " Le Courier Bel-
gique." For the purpose of promoting the views of a so-
ciety at Paris, denominated " Les Amis des Noirs," and
established for the purpose of abolishing negro slavery, he
embarked for America in 1>788 ; and, during his residence
in that country, he sought for a convenient situation, in
which a colony of Frenchmen might be organized into a
republic, according to his ideas of political liberty. But
his return was hastened in 1789 by the intelligence he
received of the progress of the French revolution. After
his arrival, he published his "Travels in America;" (Nou-
veau Voyage daps les Etats Unis, &c. Pyuria, 1791, 3 vols.

it B R I S S O T,

8vo), and as he found the attention of the public directed
to the approaching assembly of the states- general/ he
Wrote his " Plan of Conduct for the Deputies of the Peo-
ple." At this time, he had withdrawn from the partisans of
the duke of Orleans; and he took an active part in the
plans that were then projected for the organization of the*
people, with a view to their union and energy in accom-
plishing the revolution. To the lodgings of Brissot, as sv
person who was held in estimation at this period, the keys
of the Bastille, when it was taken, were conveyed ; he also
became president of the Jacobin club ; and he distinguished
himself in various ways as a zealous promoter of those
revolutionary principles, which afterwards gave occasion
to a great number of atrocious excesses. After the king's
flight to Varennes, Brissot openly supported the republican
cause ; but, as some form of monarchy was still the object
of the national wish, he was obliged to restrain his impe-
tuosity. The popularity acquired by his writings and
conduct was such, as to induce the Parisians to return hint
as one of their members in the " Legislative national as-
sembly," which succeeded the " Constituent assembly,**
in October 1791, of which assembly he was appointed se-
cretary ; and he became afterwards a member of the com-
mittee of public instruction. Although inferior to many
others in talents and knowledge, his activity raised him to
the rank of head or chief, in the party denominated " Gi«i
rondists" or " La Gironde," the name of the department
to which several of its members belonged, and also frorq
his own name " Brissotins." In his career of ambition, he
does not seem to have been influenced by pecuniary ccn-
siderations ; power, more than wealth, being the object of
his aim ; for, at this time, he and his family lodged in an
apartment up four pair of stairs, and subsisted on his sti-
pend as deputy, and the inconsiderable gains accruing
from a newspaper. As a determined enemy to monarchy,
he was unremitting in his efforts to engage the nation in a
war, with the avowed purpose of involving the king and
his ministers in difficulties which would terminate in their
ruin, and this part of his political conduct must ever bfe
lamented and execrated by the friends of freedom and of
mankind. In the impeachment of M. Delessart, the mi-
nister for foreign affairs, Brissot took a principal lead ; and
alleged against him several articles of accusation, in con-
sequence of which, he was Apprehended, tried by .the higfy

BR IS S Or T: M

national court at Orleans, and condemned to die, without
being first beard in his own defence, so that he became
the first victim to that desperate faction, which afterwards
deluged France with blood. His colleagues were so com-
pletely terrified by this event, that they requested leave to
resign, and the ministry was at once completely dissolved*
The ir successors, appointed by. the king, under the direc-
tion and influence of Brissot, were Dumourier, Roland, and
Claviere. This appointment was followed by a declaration
ol war, decreed by the national assembly, against the king-
of Hungary aud Bohemia ; and Brissot, during the exist-
ence of this administration, which terminated soon, wa*
considered as the most powerful person in France. About
this time, Brissot began to entertain secret jealousy and
suspicion of La Fayette,-, and concurred with other mem*
bers of the assembly, in signing an accusation against him,,
which, however, he wasrnot able to substantiate. He aud his
republican party were likewise industrious in their endea-
vours to throw an odium on the court, by alleging, that a~
private correspondence was carried on between the king
and queen and the emperor ; and they even averred, that
an " Austrian Committee,9' and a conspiracy iu favour of
the enemies of the country, existed among the friends of
the court. The charge seemed to. be unsupported by suffi-
cient evidence ; the king publicly contradicted these accu-
sations as calumnies; nevertheless, they made no small
impression on the minds of the public. To the writings
and conduct of Brissot, the horrid massacres at the Tuil-
leries, on the 10th of August, 1792, have been principally-
ascribed ; and it is a poor excuse that he is said to have
preserved the lives of several of the Swiss guards on that
fatal day. He was employed to draw up the declaration to
the neutral powers concerning the suspension of the king's
authority ; but he is said to have regarded with horror the
sanguinary spirit that was now predominant among the
leaders of the jacobins. Whilst, indeed, he was ascending
to the pinnacle of power, he seems to have been the ardent
advocate of insurrection and the revolutionary power : but
a* he found himself raised to that station, he, began to in-
culcate " order and the constitution," the usual cant of all
demagogues who think they have attained their object.
In the shocking massacre of the prisoners at Paris in Sep-
tember, he had probably no other conpern, than the in-
fluftice ; which his irritating speeches and writings had

U B R I S S O T,

treated on the minds of the more active agents. When
the •* National convention," the idea of which is said to
have been suggested by him, assumed the direction of the
state, and assembled on the 20th of September, i792, he
was returned as member for the department of Eure and
Loire, his native country. In this assembly, he openly
avowed himself an advocate for a republican government,
in opposition both to the Jacobins and Orleanists 5 and was
expelled the Jacobin club. On this occasion, he wrote a
vindication of bis public condpct, under the title of " An
Address to all the Republicans." He is said to have been
$0 far shocked by the prospect of the fatal issue of the
king's trial, as to have attempted the preservation of bis
life, by deferring his execution till the constitution should
be perfected ; a proposition of which the absurdity and
cruelty are nearly equal. The war with England, which
soon followed the death of Louis, is ascribed to his ardour
and credulity ; for he was led to imagine, that the conse-
quence of it would be a civil war in this country ; and it is
Said, that this, as well as the war with Holland, was decreed
in the national convention, Feb. 1, 1793, at his motion.
This charge, however, he retorts on bis accusers, and says,
that the anarchists, by voting the death of the king, were
themselves the authors of the war.

Brissot's influence now gradually declined ; and his party
was at length overpowered by a more violent and san-
guinary faction, denominated the " Mountain/9 so called
from its members usually sitting in the convention, on the
upper seats of the hall, at the head of which was Robes?
pierre, of execrable memory. The treachery and deser?
tion of Dumourier likewise contributed to hasten the down*
fel of this party. To their imbecility or perfidy, the public
calamities that threatened the country, were generally as?
cribed ; and, after the establishment of the " Revolutionary
tribunal,*' for the purpose of trying crimes committed
against the state, in March 1793, a petition was presented
in the following month by the communes of the 48 sections'
of Paris, requiring that the chiefs of the Girondists, or Brja*
potins, denounced in it, should be impeached, arid expelled
the convention. In May and June decrees of arrest were
issued against them ; and against Brissot among the rest,
who attempted to make his escape ipto bwisaejrland, but
fvas stopped and imprisoned ; and in the following October,
he and 21 of bife associates were brought beforethe revolu-

B R I S S O T. 2$

lionary tribunal Brissot, who was elevated in the miist
of them, maintained a firm and tranquil mind ; but, though
their accusers could support their charges by little moid
than mere surmises, the whale party was immediately con-
demned to the scaffold ; and next morning were led td
execution. There Brissot, after seeing- the blood of 16
associates stream from the scaffold, submitted to the stroke
with the utmost composure. In the relations of private
life, his character stands without reproach ; but these af-
ford no counterpoise to his public conduct; and although
his sentence was unjust as coming from men as guilty as
himself, it was the natural consequence of a tyranny to the
establishment of which he had contributed more largely
♦than most of his countrymen. »

BR1STOW (Richard), an eminent Roman catholic
priest and writer in the reign of queen Elizabeth, was born
at Worcester, in 1538. In 1555 he was entered of Exeter
college, Oxford, according to Pits, Which Wood doubts;
but he took his degree of B. A. in 1559, and M. A. in 1562,
at which last time he was a member of Christ church. He
*nd the celebrated Campian were so esteemed for their
talents, as to be selected to entertain queen Elizabeth with
a public disputation in 1566. Bristow was afterwards, iti
July 1567, made a fellow of Exeter college, by the interest
of sir William Petre, who bad founded some fellowships in
that college, and who would have promoted him further,
had he not laid himself open to the suspicion of holding
popish tenets; and this appeared more plainly by his quit-
ting the university on cardinal Alan's invitation/ He went
then, to Do way, and after prosecuting his theological stu-
dies in that academy, was admitted to his doctor's degree
jo 1579, and, says his biographer, was Alan's "right hand
upon all occasions." He was made prefect of studies,
lectured on the scriptures, and in the absence of Alan acted
as regent of the college. His intense studies, however,
injured a constitution originally very weak, and after a
journey to Spa, which had very little effect, he was recom-
mended to try his native air. On his return to England,
he resided for a very short time with a Mr. Bellamy, a gen*
tieman of fortune, at Harrow on the Hill, where he died
Oct. IB, 1581. The popish historians concur in express*
ing the loss their cause suffered by his death, he being

i Life, 1794, Sro.~Bk>grephie RKM)erae«-~Ree*>i Cyctopaodi*.

tS , ERI8TOV.

tefcjjied " an Alan in prudence,- a Stapleton in acuteness, a
Campian in eloquence, a Wright in theology, and a Mar*
tin in languages." He wrote, 1. " Dr. Bristow's motives,**
Antwerp, 1574, 1599, 8vo, translated afterwards into La-
tin, by Dr. Worthington, Doway, 1 608, 4to. 2- " A Re-
ply to William Fulk (his ablest antagonist), in defence of
Dr. Allen (Alan's) articles, and book of purgatory," Lou-
vain, 1580, 4to. 3. " Fifty-one demands, to be proposed
by catbQlics to heretics," London, .1592, 4to. 4. " Veri*
tates Aureae S. H. Ecclesise," 1616. 5. " Tabula in sum-
roam theologicam S. Thorn® Aquinatis," 1579. He wrote
also, " An Apology in defence of Alan and himself," and
notes upon the Rueims Testament. *

BRITANNICO (John Angelo), an eminent Italian*
scholar of the fifteenth century, was born in the Brescian
territory, of a family originally from: Great Britain ; and
having studied at Padua about the year 1470, kept school
at Brescia, and distinguished himself by several learned
annotations on various classic authors, particularly Juvenal,
Lucan, Horace, Persius, and Statius in his Achiileid. He
also wrote grammatical and other tracts, and an eulogy on
Bartholomew Cajetan. He is supposed not to have long
survived the year 1518, and did not live to publish his
notes upon Pliny's Natural History. His Statius was pub-
lished in 1485, fol. and his Juvenal in 1512, Venice, fol. • '

BRITO (Bernard de), a Portuguese historian, was born
at Almeida, Aug. 20, 1569, and entered young into the
order of the Cistercians, by whom he was sent to Italy to
be educated. During his studies be betrayed much more
fondness for history than for philosophy or divinity, yet
did not neglect the latter so far as to be unable to teach
both, which he did with reputation on his return home.
His abilities in investigating the affairs of Portugal pro*
cured him the office of first historiographer of Portugal,
and he was the first who endeavoured to give a regular -
form to its history, two folio volumes of which he pub*
lished in 1597, at Alcobaga, and 1609, at Lisbou, under
the title of " Monarcbia Lusitana." It is written with ele*
gance ; and was brought down to Alfonsus III. by Antony
and Francis Brandano, monks of the same order, making
in all 7 vols. He published also, 2. .Panegyrics of the

> - ...

1 Dodd's Ch. Hist. vol. II — Pits.— Taimer.— Ath. Ox. vol. I.
• Gen. Djct*— 'Mortri.— Saxii Onopaast.

B,R I T O, - 27

m ■

kings of Portugal, with their portraits. 3. Ancient Geo-
graphy of Portugal. 4. Chronicle of the Cistercian order*
The " Guerra Brasilica," Lisbon, 1675, 2 vols, folio, is
by Francis de Brito, a different person from Bernard, who
died in 1617. l

BRITTON (Thomas), a very singular personage, known
by the name of the Musical Small-coal Man, was born at
or near Higbam Ferrers, in Northamptonshire, about the
middle of the seventeenth century, and went from thence
to London, where he bound himself apprentice to a small-
coal man. He served seven years, and returned to North-
amptonshire, his master giving him a sum of money not
to set up : .but, after this money was spent, he returned again
to 'London, and set up the trade of small-coal, which he
continued to the end of his life. Some time after he had
been settled in business here, he became acquainted with
jUAfht ¥*T* Garaniere, his neighbour, an eminent chemist, who,
,^£ r.g admitting mm into his laboratory, Tom, with the doctor's
consent, and his own observation, soon became a notable
chemist ; contrived and built himself a moving laboratory,
in which, according to Hearne, " he performed with little
espence and trouble such things as had never been done
before." Besides his great skill in chemistry, he became
a practical, and, as was thought, a theoretical musician.
Tradition only informs us that be was very fond of music,
and that he was able to perform oft the viol da gamba at
hfe own concerts, which be at first established gratis in his
miserable house, which was an old mean building, the
ground-floor of which was a repository for his small- coal ;
over this was his concert-room, long, low, and narrow, to
which there was no other ascent than by a pair of stairs oa
the outside, so perpendicular and narrow, as scarcely to
be mounted without crawling.

Hearne allows him to have been a very diligent collec-
tor of old books of all kinds, which, in his courses through
the town crying his small-coal, he had a good opportunity
*of doing at stalls, where he used to stop and select , for
purchase whatever was ancient, particularly on his two fa*
vourite subjects of chemistry and music. On the former,
v it has naturally been suggested that, he had picked up
books oh Rosier ucian mysteries, and not impossible but
that he may have wasted some of his small-coals in the
great secrets of alchemy in the .transmutation of metals.

1 Moreri,— Diet. Hist

2* BRIT.TON.

With respect to music, be collected all the elementary
books in English that were then extant ; such as Morley's.
introduction, Simpson's division violist, Playford, Butler,
Bath, and Mace ; nine books of instruction for the psal-
mody, flute, and mock trumpet. But besides his vast
collection of printed music, the catalogue of which fills
eight pages iu 4to, of sir J. Hawkins's Hist, of Music, he
teems to have been such an indefatigable copyist, that he
is said to have transcribed with his own hand, very neatly
and accurately, a collection of music which sold after his
decease for near 100/,

Mr. Walpole, in his Anecdotes, says, that " Woolaston
the painter, who was a good performer on the violin and
flute, had played at the concert held at the house of that
extraordinary person, Thomas Britton the small-coal man,
whose picture he twice drew, one of which was purchased
by sir Hans Sloane, and is now in the British museum :
there is a mezzotinto from it. T. Britton, who made much
noise in his time, considering his low station and trade,
was a collector of all sorts of curiosities, particularly
drawings, prints, books, manuscripts on uncommon sub-
jects, as mystic divinity, the philosopher's stone, judicial
astrology, and magic ; and musical instruments, both in
and out of vogue. Various were the opinions concerning
him ; some thought his musical assembly only a cover for
seditious meetings ; others, for magical purposes. He
was taken for an atheist, a presbyterian, a Jesuit. But
Woolaston the painter, and the son of a gentleman who
fcad'likewise been a member of that club, averred it a&
their opinions, that Britton was a plain, simple, honest
man, who only meant to amuse himself. The subscrip-
tion was but ten shillings a year ; Britton found the instru-
ments, and they had coffee at a penny a dish. Sir Hans
Sloane bought many of his books and MSS. now in the
Museum, when they were sold by auction at Tom's coffee-
house, near Ludgate.*'

Dr. Burney in early life conversed with members of this
concert, who spoke of him in the same manner. So late
as the middle of the last century, mezzotinto prints of him
were in all the print-shops, particularly an excellent one
by Smith, under which} and almost all the prints of Britton,
were the following verses, by Hughes, who frequently per-
formed on the violin at the concerts of this ingenious
small-coal man:

B R I T T O N. M

«* Though mean thy rank, yet in thy humble eeH
Did gentle peace, and arts, unpurchased, dwells
Well pleased, Apollo thither led his train,
And music warbled in her sweetest strain.
Cyllenius so, as fables tell, and Jove,
Came willing guests to poor Philemon's grove.
Let useless pomp behold, and blush to find,
So low a station, such a liberal mind."

In most of the prints, he was represented with his sack
of small-coal on his shoulder, and his measure of retail in
his hand. In the Guardian, No. 144, Steele, speaking of the
variety of original and odd characters, which our free go- .
vernment produces, says: " We have a small-coal man, who
beginning with two plain notes, which made up his daily
cry, has made himself master of the whole compass of the
gammut, and has frequent concerts of music at his own
house, for the entertainment of himself and friends."

But the assertion of sir John Hawkins, that Britton was
the first who had a meeting that corresponded with the
idea of a concert, is not correct : in the time of Charles I.
and during the usurpation, at Oxford, meetings for the
performance of Fancies in six and seven parts, which pre-
ceded sonatas and concerts, were very common. And in
Charles the Second's time, Banister, father and son, had
concerts, first at taverns and public-houses, and after-
wards at York-buildings. It is, perhaps, not a matter
worthy of dispute ; but we imagine that it would be diffi-
cult to prove that Handel ever played at the small-coal
man's concert. Handel was proud, and never had much
respect for English composers. He had been caressed and
patronised by princes and nobles so long, that be would as
soon have gone into a coal-pit to play at a concert, as to the
hovel of our vender of small- coal.

About the commencement of the last century, a passion
prevailed among several persons of distinction, of collecting
old books and MSS. ; and it was their Saturday's amuse-
ment during winter, to ramble through various quarters of
the town in pursuit of these treasures. The earls of Ox-
ford, Pembroke, Sunderland, and Winchelsea, and the
duke of Devonshire, were of this party, and Mr. Bagford
and other collectors assisted them in their researches.
Britton appears to have been employed by them ; and, as
he was a very modest, decent, and unpresuming man, he
was a sharer in their conversation, when they met after
their morning's walk, at a bookseller'sshop in Ave- Maria lane.

;

to britton;

Britton usfcd to pitch his coal-sack on a Uulk at the doofrV
and* dressed in his blue frock, to step in and spend an hour
with the company. But it was not only by a few literary
lords that his acquaintance was cultivated ; his humble roof
was frequented by assemblies of the fair and the gay ; and
his fondness for music caused him to be known by many
dilettanti and professors, who formed themselves into a club
at his hoiise, where capital pieces were played by some
of the first professional artists, and other practitioners }
and here Dubourg,%when a child, played, standing upon a
joint-stool, the first solo that he ever executed in public.

The circumstances of his death were very extraordinary.
A ventriloquist was introduced into his company by one
justice Robe, who was fond of mischievous jests. This
man, in a voice seemingly coming from a distance, anT
nounced to poor Britton his approaching end, and bid him:
prepare for it, by repeating the Lord's prayer on his knees.
The poor man did so, but the affair dwelt so much upon
his imagination, that he died in a few days, leaving justice
Robe to enjoy the fruits of his mirth. His death hap-
pened in September, 1714, when he was upwards of sixty
years of age.

Britton's wife survived her husband. He left little behind
him, except his books, his collection of manuscript and
printed music, and musical instruments ; all which were
sold by auction, and catalogues of them are in the hands
of some collectors of curiosities. His instrumental music
consists of 160 articles; his vocal, of 42 ; 11 scores; in-
struments, 27. All these are specified in Hawkins's His-
tory of music, but we shall add the title-page of the ca-
talogue of his library : " The library of Mr. Thomas
Britton, small-coal man, decease^; who, at his own charge,
kept up a concert of music above forty years, in his little
cottage; being a curious collection of every ancient and
uncommon book in divinity, history, physic, chemistry^
magick, &c. Also a collection of MSS. chiefly on vellum,
which will be sold by auction at Paul's coffee-house, &c.
Jan. 1714-1 V &c. It contained 102 articles in folio >
270 in 4to; 664 in 8vo ; 50 pamphlets, and twenty-three
•MSS. A few of the works in 8vo were sufficiently ama-
tory. A copy of this now very rare catalogue is in Mr. >
Heber's excellent library. l

1 Hawkins's Hist, of Music— Walpole's Anecdotes of Painters. — Rees's Cy*
clopsedia. — Annual Register, vols. VHI. and XX. — Spectator, with notes, roll
VIII. p. 205.— Guardian, vol. II. 330.— Dibdin's Bibliomania.

B R I X I U 8. 3i

BRIXIUS* or DE BRIE (Germain), U learned French-
man, was born about the end of the fifteenth century, at
Auxerre, or in that diocese ; and in his education made
great progress in the learned languages, particularly the
Greek, from which he translated into Latin, Chrysostom's
treatise on the priesthood ; his first eight homilies oh the
epistle of St. Paul to the Romans, and some other works,
which contributed very much to his reputation. He used
frequently to compose Greek verses, with which he enter-
tained the literati at his house, where they were sure of an
open table. From 1512 he was secretary to queen Anne,
and archdeacon of Albi. In 1515 he had a canonry con-
ferred upon him in the church of Auxerre, which, in 1520,
he resigned, on being promoted to the same rank at Paris;
He calls himself almoner to the king in the title of his rare
book " Germani Brixii, gratulatoriae quatuor ad totidem
viros classissimos, &c." Paris, 1531, 4 to. This contains
also four letters to Erasmus, Jerome Vida, Sadolet, and
Lazarus Bayf, with some Latin poetry addressed to Fran-
cis I. on a marble statue of Venus, which the chevalier
Reriz had presented to that sovereign. He published also
an edition of Longolius's defences, " Christ. Longolii per-
duellionis rei defensiones duae," 1520. Brixius died in
1538. He was the familiar acquaintance of Rabelais, and
long the correspondent of Erasmus, but what more parti-
cularly entitles him to notice here, is his quarrel with sir
Thomas More, on which some of the biographers of that
illustrious character have been either silent, or superficial.
Brixius in 1513 composed a poem called " Chordigera,"
where in three hundred hexameter verses, he described a
battle fought that year by a French ship, la Cordeliere,
and an English ship, the Regent. More, who was not
then in the high station which he afterwards reached, com-
posed several epigrams in derision of this poem. Brixius,
piqued at this affront, revenged himself by the *r Anti-
Morus," an elegy of about 400 verses, in which he se-
verely censured all the faults which he thought he had.
found in the poems of More. Yet he kept this piece of
satire by him for some time, declaring, that if he should
consent to the publication, it would be purely to comply
with his friends, who remonstrated to him, that compo-
sitions of this kind lost much of their bloom by coming out
late. There are three editions of the Anti-Morus. The
two first-are of Paris; one" published by himself, in 1520,

31 B R I X I U S.

the other in 1 560, in the second volume of the " Flore*
Epigrammatum" of Leodegarius a Quercu, or Leger du
Ch£ne. The third is in the " Corpus Poetarum Latino*
rum" collected by Janus Gruterus, under the anagram*
matic name of Ranutius Gerus. Erasmus says that More
despised this poem so much as to have intended to print
it ; Erasmus at the same time advised More to take no no*
tice of it. The chancellor's great-grandson and biographer,
More, seems to think that he had written something in
answer to Brixius, before he received this advice from
Erasmus, but called in the copies, " so that," says his
biographer, " it is now very hard to be found ; though
some have seen it of late." Much correspondence on the
subject may be perused in our authorities. '
- BROAD, or BRODJEUS (Thomas), son of the rev. W.
Broad, of Rendcombe, in Gloucestershire, was born in
1677, and .educated at St. Mary's-hall, Oxford, which he
entered in 1594, but soon after went to Alban-hall, where
he took his degrees in arts. In 1-611, on the death of his
father, he became rector of Rendcombe, where he was
held in high esteem for piety and learning, and where he
died, and was buried in the chancel of his church, in June,
1635. He wrote: 1. a "Touchstone for a Christian,'*
Lond. 1613, 12mo. 2. " The Christian's Warfare," ibid.
1613, 12mo. 3. "Three questions on the Lord's Day,
&c." Oxon. 1621, 4to. 4. " Tractatus de Sabbato, in
quo doctrina ecclesiae primitive declarator ac defenditur,"
1627, 4to, and two treatises on the same subject, left in
manuscript, and published, with an answer, by George
Abbot (not the archbishop), as mentioned in his life.8

BROCARDUS (James), a man of a visionary turn, was
a native of Venice, born in the beginning of the sixteenth
century. He embraced the Protestant religion, and ex-
pressed a great zeal against Popery. He published se-
veral hooks in Holland, in which he maintained that the
particular events of the sixteenth century had been fore-
told by the prophets, and after he had applied scripture,
as his fancy directed, to things that had already happened;.
he took the liberty to apply it to future events. In this he
succeeded so far as to persuade a French gentleman of
noble extraction, and a Protestant, that a - Protestant

i Moreri.— Jnrtin's Life of Erasmus.— *More* Life of sir T. More, p. 13.—
Baitlet Jujremena des Savans. i

• George Abbot, vol. I. p. 29, of this Dictionary.— Ath, Ox. vol. I.

BRO.C'ARDUS. »1

prince would quickly overthrow the Pope's kingdom, and
make himself the head of all the united Christians. This
gentleman, S£gur Pardaillan, was a faithful servant to the
king of Navarre, afterwards Henry IV. and thought heaven
designed his master for the glorious enterprise which Bro-
cardus ha*l foretold. Big with these hopes, he proposed
to him to send an embassy to the Protestant princes, of-
fering to be his ambassador ; and there being nothing in
his proposal but what suited with the exigencies of the
time, it was approved of, and he was actually deputed to
those princes in 1583.

The catholic writers have abused Brocardus as an im-
postor, and a promoter of wars and insurrections ; but
though he might have been the cause of disturbances, he
does not appear to have been a knavish impostor. He
seems to have been sincere, and to have believed what he
taught. He retired to Nuremberg at the latter end of his
life, where he met with persons who were very kind and
charitable to him. " I hear," says Bongars in a letter to
Camerarius, dated Feb. 3, 1591, " that your republic has
kindly received the good old man J. Brocard, who in his
youth appeared among the most polite and learned men.'/
He expresses the same affection for Brocard in another,
dated July 24, 1593. " I am mightily pleased with the
great affection you express for Brocard. He certainly
deserves that some persons of such probity as yours should
take care of him. As for me, I am hardly in a capacity to
oblige him. I leave no stone unturned to procure him the
payment of 300 gold crowns, which Mr. S£gar left him
by his will." In another, of Nov. 16, 1594: "I cannot
but even thank you for your kind and generous treatment
of the poor, but good, old Brocard." He died soon after,
but we do not find exactly when.

Among the works he published, which were most of
them printed at S£gur Pardaillan's expence, were his
" Commentary on the Revelations of St John," and his
" Mystical and prophetical explication of Leviticus." These
both camp pot at Ley den, in 1580; as did some other
things of inferior note the same year. The synods of the
United Provinces were afraid that people would think they
approved the extravagant notions advanced in them, if
they were wholly silent about them; and therefore the
national senate of Middleburg condemned, in 1581, that
method of explaining the scripture j enjoining the divinity

Vol. VIL D

M

34 BROCARDUS.

professor at Leyden to speak to Brocard about his visions ;.
and it has been said, that Brocard, not being . able to an-
swer the objections raised against his mode of interpreting
prophecies, promised to desist. !

BROCKES (Bartholomew Henry), a German lawyer
and poet, was born at Lubeck, Sept. 22, 1680, and after
having studied and taken his degrees in the civil and canon
law, settled and practised at Hamburgh, where his merit
Boon raised him to the senatorial digrtity, to which the
emperor, without any solicitation, added the rank of Aulic
counsellor, and count Palatine. These counts Palatine
-were formerly governors of the imperial palaces* and bad.
Considerable powers, being authorized to create public
tiotaries, confer degrees, &c. Brockes published in five
parts, from 1724 to 1T&6, 8vo, " Irdisches Vergnugen in
<5ott, &c." or " Earthly Contentment in God," consisting-
of philosophical and moral poems, which were mutjr
praised by his countrymen. He also published translations
from Marini, and other Italian poets, into German, and had
tome thoughts of translating Milton, as he had done Pope's
Essay on Man, a proof at least of bis taste for English
poetry. His works form a collection of 9 vols. 8vo, and
have been often reprinted. He appears to have carefully
divided his time between his public duties and private
studies, and died much esteemed and regretted, Jan. 16,
1747.*

BROCKLESBY (Richard), an eminent English physi-
cian, the son of Richard Brocklesby, esq. of the city of
Cork, by Mary Alloway, of Minehead, Somersetshire, was
bom at Minehead, where his mother happened to be on a
visit -to her parents, Aug. 11, 1722. There he remained
until he was three years old, at which time he was carried
to Ireland, and privately instructed for some years in his
father's house at Cork, At a proper age he was sent to
Bally tore school in the north of Ireland, at which Edmund
Burke was educated, and although they were not exactly
contemporaries, Dr. Brocklesby being seven years older,
this circumstance led to a long end strict friendship. Hay-
ing finished his classical education at Ballytore, with dili-
gence and success, his father, intending him for a physi-
cian, sent him to Edinburgh, where after continuing the
usual time, he went to Leyden, and took his degree under

' GrtL Diet. * Saxii Ooomast.— Republic of Litters, vol. VIII,— Dirt. Hilt.

BROGKIESBY. 85

the celebrated Gaubios, who corresponded with him fot
several years afterwards. His diploma is dated June 28,
1745, and the same year be published his thesis, " De
Saliva sana et morbosa."

On returning home he began practice in Broad-street,
London ; and diligence, integrity, and (Economy, soon en-
abled him to surmount the difficulties which a young phy-
sician has to encounter, while his father assisted him witfy
150/. a year, a liberal allowance at that time. In 1746,
he published " An Essay concerning the mortality of the
honied cattle:" and in April, 1751, was admitted a licen-
tiate of the college of physicians. He had by this time
risen into reputation ; and as his manners were naturally
mild and conciliating, his knowledge well-founded, and
Us talents soniewhat known as an author, he sooft became
acquainted with the leading men in the profession — parti-
cularly the celebrated Dr. Mead, Dr. Leatherland, Dr.
Heberden, sir George Baker, &c. He added, another tes-
timony to the fame of Dr. Mead, by always praising his
skill, his learning, urbanity, &c. and amongst many other
anecdotes of this extraordinary man, used to relate the
circumstance of his giviug that celebrated impostor, Psal-
manazar, an opportunity of eating nearly a pound of raw
human flesh at his table, to prove that this was the constant
food of the inhabitants of Formosa *•

On the 28th of September 1754, he obtained an hono-
rary degree from the university of Dublin, and was ad-
mitted to Cambridge ad eundem the 16th of December fol-
lowing. In virtue of this degree at Cambridge, he became
a fellow of the college of London the 25th of June 1756 ;
and, on the 7th of October 1758 (on the recommendation
of Dr. Shaw, favoured by the patronage of the late lord
Harrington), he was appointed physician to the army. la
this capacity he attended in Germany the best part of
what is called " the seven years9 war," where he was soon
distinguished by his knowledge, his zeal, and humanity;
and particularly recommended himself to the notice of his
grace the duke of Richmond, the late lord Pembroke, and

* Amongst man? otter impositions one of the dissectiug surgeons of the

of Psalmanazar, he related that the hospital from the posteriors of a man.

inhabitants of Formosa constantly ate who had been hanged that morning,

human flesh, of which he as frequently which he had served up at his table*

partook, and which he called «* deli- and which Psalmanazar actually ate,

^kftis eating." Dr. Mead, to try him, seemingly with a good liking, before a

obtained a pound of human flesh of large ptrty selected for that purpose.

D2

** BROCKLESBI

others, which with the former mellowed into a friendship,
only terminated by the doctor's life. On the 2 7 tfr of Oc-
tober 1760, be was appointed physician to, the hospitals
for the British forces, and returned to England some time
before the peace of 1763.

On his return he settled in Norfolk-street, in the Strand,
where he was considered as a physician of very extensive
experience, particularly in all diseases incident to the
army. His practice spread in proportion to his reputation ;
.and, with his half-pay, and an estate of about six hundred
pounds per year, which devolved on him by the death of
his father, he was now enabled to live in a very handsome
manner, and his table was frequently filled with some
of the most distinguished persons for rank, learning, and
abilities in the kingdom. In the course of his practice,
his advice as well as his purse was ever accessible to the
poor, as well as. to men of merit who stood in need; of
either. Besides giving his advice to the poor of all descrip-
tions, which he did with an active and unwearied benevo-
lence, he had always upon his list two or three poor wi-
dows, to whom he granted small annuities j and who, on
the quarter day of receiving their stipends, always partook
of the hospitalities of his table. To his relations who
wanted his assistance in their business or professional- he
was not only liberal, but so judicious in his liberalities as
to supersede the necessity of a repetition of them. To his
friend Dr. Johnson (when it was in agitation amongst his
friends to procure an enlargement of his pension, the, tyet-
tev to enable him to travel for the benefit of bis health}, he
offered an establishment of one hundred pounds per year
during his life '. and, upon doctor Johnson's declining it
(which he did in the most affectionate terms of gratitude
and friendship), he made him a second offer of apartments
in his own house, for the more immediate benefit of medi-
cal advice. To his old and intimate friend Edmund Burke,
be had many years back bequeathed by will the sum of
one thousand pounds; but recollecting that this event
might take place (which it afterwards did) when such a le-
gacy could be of no service to him, he, with that judicious
liberality for which he was always distinguished, gave it to
him in advance, " ut pignus amicitia ;" it was accepted as
such by Mr. Burke, accompanied with a letter, which none
but a man feeling the grandeur and purity of friendship
like him, could dictate.

BROCRLfcSBY. , 37.

- Passing through a life thus honourably occupied in the
liberal pursuits' of his profession, and in the confidence and
friendship of some of the first characters of the age for
rank or literary attainments, the doctor reached his 73d
year ; and finding those infirmities, generally attached to
that time of life, increase upon him, be gave up * good
deal of the bustle of business, as well as bis half-pay*
on being appointed, by his old friend and patron the duke
of Richmond, physician general to tbe royal regiment of
artillery and corps of engineers, March, 1794. This wat.
- a situation exactly suited to his time of life and inclina-
tions ; hence he employed his time in occasional trips to '
Woolwich, with visits to his friends and patients. In this
last list be never forgot either the poor or those few friends
whom he early attended as a medical man gratuitously.
\ Scarcely any distance, or any other inconvenience, could
~ repress this benevolent custom ; and when he heard by ac-
cident that any of this latter description of his friends were
ill, and had through delicacy abstained from sending for
him, he used to say, somewhat peevishly, " Why am I
treated thus ? Why was not I sent for ?"

Though debilitated beyond his years, particularly for a
man of his constant exercise and abstemious and regular
manner of living, he kept up his acquaintance and friend-
ships to tbe last, and in a degree partook of the pleasant-
* ries and convivialities of the table. Tbe friends, who knew
"• his habits* sometimes indulged him with a nap in his arm
chair after dinner, which greatly refreshed him : he then
would turn about to the company, and pay his club of the
conversation, either by anecdote or observation, entirely
free from the laws or severities of old age.

In the beginning of December 1797, he set out on a
visit to Mrs, Burke, .at Beaconsfield, the long frequented
seat of friendship and hospitality, where the master spirit
Of the age be lived in, as well as the master of that man-
sion, had so often adorned, enlivened, and improved the.
convivial hour. On proposing this journey, and under so
infirm a state as he was in, it was hinted by a friend, whe-
ther such a length of way, or the, lying ou( of his own bed,
With other little circumstances, mighx not fatigue him too
muchi be instantly caught the force of this suggestion,
and with bis usual placidity replied, " My good friend, I
perfectly understand your hint, and am thankful * to you
for it j but where' s tbe difference whether I die at a frifend'i

38 BROCKLESBY.

house, at an inn, or in a post-chaise ? I hope I'm every
way prepared for such an event, and perhaps it would, be
as well to elude the expectation of it." He therefore be-
gan his journey the next day, and arrived there the same
evening, where he was cordially received by the amiable
mistress of the mansion, as well as by doctors Lawrence
and King, who happened to be there on a visit. He remained
at Beaconsfield 'till the 11th of December, but recollect-
ing that his learned nephew, Dr. Young, now foreign se-
cretary to the royal society, was to return from Cambridge
to London next day, he instantly set out for his house in
town, where he ate his last dinner with his nearest friends
and relations. About nine o'clock he desired to go to bed,
but going up stairs fatigued him so much, that he was
obliged to sit in his chair for some time before he felt him-
self sufficiently at ease to be undressed. In a little time,
however, he recovered himself; and, as they were unbut-
toning his waistcoat, he said to his elder nephew, " What
an idle piece of ceremony this buttoning and unbuttoning
is to me now !" When he got to bed he seemed perfectly
composed, but in about five minutes after, expired with-
out a groan.

He was interred Dec. 18, in the church-yard of St. Cle-
ment Danes, in a private manner, according to his request.
His fortune, amounting to near 30,000/. after a few lega-
cies to friends and distant relations, was divided between
his two nephews, Robert Beeby, esq. and Dr. Thomas
Young. The preceding facts may be sufficient to illustrate
Dr. Brocklesby's character. His future fame as a writer
must rest on his publications, of which the following
is, we believe, a correct list: 1. " Dissertatio Inaug,
de Saliva Sana et Morbosa," Lug. Bat, 1745, 4to. 2. " An
Essay concerning -the Mortality of the Horned Cattle,"
1746, 8vo. 3. " Eulogium Medicum, sive Oratio Anni-
versaria Harveiana habita in Theatris Collegii Regalis Me-
dicorum Londinensium, Die xviii Octobris," 1760, 4to.
4. " (^Economical and Medical Observations from 1738 to

1763, tending to the improvement of Medical Hospitals,"

1764, 8vo. 5. fi€ An Account of the poisonous root lately
found mixed with Gentian," Phil. Trans. N. 486. 6. " Case
of a Lady labouring under a Diabetes," Med. Observ. No.
III. 7. " Experiments relative to the Analysis and Vir-
tues of Seltzer Water," ibid. vol. IV. 8. " Case of an
Encysted Tumour in the Orbit of the Eye, cured by
Messrs. Bromfield and Ingram," ibid, 9, " A -Disserts

BROCKLESBY. 39

tion on the Music of die Antients." We do not know the
date of this last article, but believe it to be amongst his
early literary amusements. When Dr. Young was at Ley-
den, a professor, understanding he was a nephew- of Dr.
Brocklesby's, shewed him a translation of it in the Ger-
man language. l

BRODEAU (John), in Latin BnoDJEUS,an eminent cri-
tic, on whom Lipsius, Scaliger, Grotius, and all the learned
of his age, have bestowed high encomiums, was descended
from a noble family in France, and born at Tours in 1500.
He was liberally educated, and placed under Alciat to
study the civil law ; but, soon forsaking that, he gave him*
self up wholly to languages and the belles-lettres. He
travelled into Italy, where he became acquainted with Sa-
dolet, Bembus, and other eminent characters; and here
he applied himself to the study of philosophy, mathema-
tics, and the sacred languages, in which he made no small
proficiency. Then returning to his own country, he led a
retired but not an idle life ; as his many learned lucubrations
abundantly testify. He was a man free from all ambition
and vain-glory, and suffered his works to be published
rather under the sanction and authority of others, than
under his own : a singular example, says Thuanus, of mo-
desty in this age, when men seek glory not only from
riches and honours, but even from letters ; and that too
with a vanity which disgraces them. He died in 1563, at
Tours, where he was a canon of St. Martin. His principal
works are, 1. his " Miscellanea, a collection of criticisms
and remarks, the first six books of which are published in
Gruter's " Lampas, seu fax artium," vol. II. and the four
latter in vol. IV. 2. " Annotationes in Oppianum, Q. Ca-
Jabrum, et Coluthum," Basil, 1552, 8vo. 3. " Note in
Martialem*" ibid. 16 19, 8vo. 4. " Annot. in Xenophon-
teto, Gr. et Lat," ibid. 1559," fol. 5. " Epigrammata Graeca
cum Annot. Brodaei et H. Steph." Francfort, 1600, fol.
Many of these epigrams were translated into Latin by Dr.
Johnson, and are printed with his works. *

BROECKHUSIUS (John), or John Broeckhuizen, a
distinguished scholar in Holland, was born Nov. 20, 1649,
at Amsterdam, where bis father was a . clerk in th$ ad-
miralty. He learned the, Latin tongue under Hadrian Ju-

1 From a life in the European Magazine, 1798.— Boswell'a Life of Johnson.
--Gent. Mag. vol. LKVII.

* Gen. Diet. — Moreri.— Baillet Jugemeas des Sayang.— Saxii Onomast—
BJooat's Centura.

40 BROECK.HU8IU&

nius, and made a prodigious progress in polite literature ;
but bis father dying when be was very young, he was
taken from literary pursuits, and placed with an apothecary
at Amsterdam, with whom be lived some years. Not liking
this, he went into the army, where his behaviour raised
him to the rank of lieutenant-captain ; and, in 1674, wa*
sent with his regiment to America in the fleet under ad-
miral de Ruyter, but returned to Holland the same year.
In 1678 he was sent to the garrison at Utrecht, where he
contracted a friendship with the celebrated Grsevius ; and
here, though a person of an excellent temper, he had the
misfortune to be so deeply-engaged in a duel, that, ac-
cording to the laws of Holland, his life was forfeited : but
Grsevius wrote immediately to Nicholas Heinsius* who ob-
tained his pardon from the stadtholder. Not long after,
he became a captain of one of the companies then at Am-
sterdam ; which post placed him in an easy situation, and
gave him leisure to pursue his studies. His company
being disbanded in 1697, a pension was granted him;
upon which he retired to a country-house near Amsterdam,
where he saw -but little company, and spent his time among
his books. He died Dec. 15, 1707, and was interred at
Amsterween, hear Amsterdam ; a •mouument was after-
wards erected to his memory, with-an inscription, the let-
ters of which are arranged so as to form the date of the
year, which we presume was considered as a great effort of
genius :

prlnCeps poetarVM DeCessIt.

His works are, 1. his " Carolina," Utrecht, 1684, l2mo,
and afterwards more splendidly by Hoogstraatert, at Amst.
171 1, 4to, under the title of " Jani Broukhusii poematum
libri sedecim." 2. " Actii Sinceri Sannazarii, &c. Opera
Latina ; aceedu'nt notoe, &c." Amst. 1680, 12mo, without
his name, which was added to the best edition, Amst. 1727.
3. "Aonii Palearii Verulani opera," ibid, 1696,3vo, without
his name, and by some mistaken for one of Gravius's edi-
tions. 4. " S. Aurelii Propertii Elegiarum libri IV." ibid.
1702, 4to; ibid. 1727, 4to. 5. " Albii Tibulli qu« extant,
&o." ibid. 1708, 4to. His u Dutch poems4' were pub-
lished by Hoogstraaten, -Amst. 1712, 8vo, with the au-
thor's life. Modern pritics seem agreed in the value of his
editions of the classics, although he has been sometimes
censured for bold freedom's. 1

• Gen. Diet— Moreri,— Sa*ii Onomart,— Dibdiu'i Classics m Tibmll. **d

B R O K E S B Y. 41

BROKES. See BROOKES.

BROKESBY (Francis), was born at Stoke Golding, in
Leicestershire, Sept. 29, 1637, and educated at Trinity
college, Cambridge, and was afterwards rector of Rowley,
in the East riding of Yorkshire. He wrote a " Life of
Jesus Christ ;" and was a principal assistant to Mr. Nelsou
in compiling his " Feasts and Fasts of the Church of Eng-
land." He was also author of " An History of the govern-
ment of the primitive Church, for the three first centuries,
and the beginning of the fourth," printed by W. B. 1712,
- fcvo. In a dedication to. Mr. Francis Cherry, dated Shot-
tesbroke, Aug. 13, 1711, the author says, "The following
treatise challenges you for its patron, an^ demands its
dedication to yourself, in that I wrote it under your roof,
was encouraged in my studies by that respectful treatment
I there found, and still meet with ; and withal, as I was
assisted in my work by your readiness to supply me, out
of your well-replenished library, with such books as I
stood in need of in collecting this history. I esteem my-
"self, therefore, in gratitude obliged to make this public
acknowledgement of your favours, and to tell the world,
that when I was by God's good providence reduced to
straits (in part occasioned by my care lest I should make
shipwreck of a good conscience), I then found a safe re-
treat and kind reception in your family, and there both
Jeisure and encouragement to write this, following treatise.1*
As Mr. Brbkesby's straits arose from his principles a« a
nonjuror, he was, of course, patronised by the most emi-
nent persons of that persuasion. The house of the be-
nevolent Mr. Cherry, however, was his asylum ; and there
he formed an intimacy with Mr. Dodwell, whose " Life'*
he afterwards wrote, and with Mr. Nelson, to whom the
Life of Dodwell is dedicated. He died suddenly soon after
that publication, in 1715. Mr. Brokesby was intimately
acquainted with the famous Oxford antiquary, Hearne,
wha printed -a valuable letter of his in the first volume of
.'Leland's Itinerary ; and was said to be the author of a tract,
entitled " Of Education, with respect to grammar-schools
and universities,'* 1710, 8vo. *

BROM (Adam de), almoner to king Edward II. is. al-
lowed to have shafted the honour of founding Oriel college,
Oxford, with that monarch. The only accounts we have'
of De Brom state, that he was rector of Hanworth in Mid-

» Nichols's Hitt. of Hmckloj, and Hist, of Leieeftewhire, where U Mr. Brokef-
is diary, Jtc.

42 B ROM.

dlesex, in 1313; the year following, chancellor of the dio»
cese of Durham; in 1319, archdeacon of Stow; and a
few months after was prompted to the living of St. Mary,
Oxford. In 1324 he requested of his sovereign to be em-
powered to purchase a. messuage in Oxford, where he
might found, to the honour of the Virgin Mary, a college
of scholars, governed by a rector of their own choosing,
^ sub nomine Rectoris Domus Scholarium Beat® Marias.'*
With this the king readily complied, and De Brom im-
mediately commenced his undertaking by purchasing a
tenement in St. Mary's parish ; and, by virtue of the char-
ter granted by the king, dated 1324, founded a college of
scholars for the study of divinity and logic. He then
resigned the whole into the hands of the king, of whose
liberality he appears to have made a just estimate, and
from whose power he expected advantages to the society,
which he was himself incapable of conferring. Nor was he
disappointed in the issue of this well-timed policy. The
ling took the college under his own care, and the next
year granted a new charter, appointing it to be a college
for divinity and the canort-law, to be governed by a pro-
<vost, and for their better maintenance, besides some tene-
ments in St. Mary's parish, he gave them the advowson of
St. Mary's church, &c. Adam de Brom, who was de-
servedly appointed the first provost, drew up a body of
statutes in 1326, and gave his college the church of Aber-
ibrth in Yorkshire; and in 1327, Edward. III. bestowed
upon them a large messuage, situated partly in the parish
-of St. John Baptist, called La Oriole, to which the scholars
soon removed, and from which the college took its name.
De Brom procured other advantages for the college, the
last of which was the .advowson of Coleby in Lincolnshire.
He died June 16, 1332, and was buried in St. Mary's
church, in a chapel still called after his name. It is said
to have been built by bim, and his tomb, no>v decayed,
was visible in Antony Wood's time. In this chapel the
heads of houses assemble on Sundays, &c. previous t»
«their taking their seats in the church. 1

BROME (Alexander), an English poet, has the re-
putation of ably assisting the royal party in the time of
Charles I. and of even having no inconsiderable hand in
promoting the restoration. Of his personal history, we

•

* Chalmers's History of Oxford.

JB R O M E. *S

fcave only a few notices in the Biographia Dramatics He
was born in 1620, and died June 30, 1666. He was an
attorney in the lord mayor's court, and through the whole
of the protectorship, maintained his loyalty, and cheered
his party by the songs and poems in his printed works,
most of which must have been sung, if not composed, at
much personal risk. How far they are calculated to excite
resentment, or to promote the cause which the author
espoused, the reader must judge. His songs are in mea~
sures> varied with considerable ease and harmony, and have
many sprightly turns, and satirical strokes, which the
Roundheads must have felt. Baker informs us that he
was the author of much the greater part of those songs and
epigrams which were published against the rump. Phillips
styles him the " English Anacreon."' Walton has drawn a
very favourable character of him in the eclogue prefixed to
his works, the only one of the commendatory poems which
seems worthy of a republication. Mr. Ellis enumerates
three editions of these poems, the first in 1 660, the second
in 1664, amkthe third in 1668. That, however, uped ia
the late edition of the English Poets is dated 1661. In
1660 be published " A Congratulatory Poem on the mira*
culous and glorious Return of Charles 11." which we have
not seen. Besides these poems he published a " Transla-
tion of Horace,*' by himself, Fanshaw, Holliday, Hawkinsf
Cowley, Ben Jonson, &c. apd had once an intention to
translate Lucretius. In 1654 he published a comedy en*
titled "The Cunning Lovers," which was acted in 1651
at the private house in Drury Lane. He was also editor of
the plays of Richard Brome, who, however, is not men*
tioned as being related to him. l

BROME (Richard) lived also in the reign of Charles L
and was contemporary with Decker, Ford, Shirley, &c.
His extraction was mean ; for be was originally no better
than a menial servant of Ben Jonson. He wrote himself,
however, into high repute ; and is addressed in some lines
by his quondam master, on account of his comedy called
tfie " Northern Lass." His genius was entirely turned to
comedy, and we have fifteen of his productions in this way
remaining. They were acted in their day with great up*

plause, and have been often revived since. Even in our

• ■ *

1 English Poets, Edit. 21 vols. 1810.— Biog. Dram.— Kennctt's Register, p.
91$.— JJUis's SpeciaaeBS, vol. 111.

V

44 BKOME.

dwn time, one of them, caHed the u Jotfial Crew/1 has,
With little alteration, been revived, and exhibited at Co-
Vent- garden with great and repeated success. He died in
1652. » >

BROMFIELD (Sir William), an eminent English sur-
geon, Was born in .London, in 1712, and studied surgery^
under the celebrated Ranby, . by whose instructions he was
soon enabled to practise on his own account. In 1741, he
began to give lectures on anatomy and surgery, and soon
found his theatre crowded with pupils. Some years after,
in conjunction with the rev. Mr. Madan, be formed the
plan of the Lock hospital, into which patients were first
received Jan. 3, 1747, and was made first surgeon to that
establishment, an office he filled with advantage to the
patients and credit to himself for many years. With a
view of contributing to its success, he altered an old
comedy, "The City Match," written in 1639, by Jaspar
Maine, and procured it to be acted at Drury-lane theatre,
in 1755, for the benefit of the hospital. He was also, vejy
early after its being instituted, elected one ofc the surgeons
to St George's hospital. In 1761, he was appointed in
the suite of the noble persons, who were sent to brings
over the princess of Mecklenburgb, our present queen,
and was soon after appointed surgeon to her majesty's
household. In 1751, he-sent to the royal society a case of
a woman who had a foetus in her abdomen nine years,
which is printed in their Transactions for. the same .year.
In 1157, he published an account • of the English night
shades, the internal use of which had been recommended
in scrophulous Gases ; but they had failed in -producing die
expected benefit with him. In 1759, be gave " A Narra-
tive of a Physical Transaction with Mr.Aylet, surgeon, at
Windsor." This is a controversial piece of no conse-
quence now, but the author clears himself from the impu-
tation of having treated his antagonist improperly. In
1767, he published " Thoughts concerning the present
peculiar method of treating persons inoculated, for the
Small-pox." This relates to the Suttons, who were now
in the zenith of their reputation. He thinks their, prac-
tice of exposing their patients to the open air in th^ inidst
of winter, of repelling the efuption, and checking or pre-*
venting the suppurative process, too bold, and hazardous,

1 Biog . Dramatica.— Winsta*l*y and Jacob.

BROMFIELD.

* • • -. r •»

On the whole, however, he acknowledges, they were de-
serving of commendation, for the improvements they h^4
introduced, in the treatment, both of the. inoculated ai>d
natural small-pox. His next work, the moat considerable
one written by him^ was " Chirurgical Cases and Observa-
tions/' published in 17X3, in 2 vols. 8vo. Though there
are much judicious practice, and many valuable observa-
tions contained in these volumes, yet they did not answer
the expectations of the public, or correspond to the fame
and credit the author had obtained : accordingly in the
following year they were attacked by an anonymous writer,
said to be Mr. Justamond, in a- pamphlet, entitled " l^otes
on Chirurgical Cases and Observations, by a Professor of
Surgery/' The strictures contained in these. notes are
keen and ingenious, and, though evidently the produce of
ill-humour, yet seem to have had the effect of preventing
so general a diffusion of the cases, as the character of the
'author would otherwise have procured them. They have
; never "been reprinted. About this time the author took a
spacious mansion in Chelsea park, which he enlarged,
altered, And furnished in an elegant style. Hither he; re-
tired, after doing his business, which he began gradually
to cor/tract into a narrower circle. With that view, a few

{ears after, he gave up his situation as surgeon to the Lock
ospital. His other appointments he kept to the. time of
his death, which happened on the 24th of November, 1792,
in the 80th' year of his age. l

BROMLEY (John), an English clergyman, was a native
of Shropshire, but where educated is not known. In the
beginning of king James IL's reign he was curate pf St.
Giles's in the Fields* London, but afteiwa^ds turned Ho*
man catholic, and was employed a& a corrector of the press
in the king'sf printing-house, which afforded him a, com-
fortable subsistence. When obliged to quit that, after ..^he
revolution, he undertook a boarding-school for the instruc-
tion of young gentlemen, some of whoin being the sons, of

' opulent persons, this employment proved very beneficial*
His biographer informs us that Pope, the celebrated j>oetf
was one of his pupils. He afterwards travelled abroad with
some young gentlemen, as tutor, but retired at last to his

4 own country, where he died Jan. 10, 1717. He published

1 &tes'i CycWpadi*.

40 B'ROMLET.

only a translation of the " Catechism of the Council df
Trent," Land. 1687, 8V0.1

BROMPTON (John) was a Cistercian monk, and abbot
of Jorevall, or Jerevall, in Richmondshire. The " Chronic-
con*9 that goes under his name begins at the year 588,*
when Augustin the monk came into England, and is car-
ried on to the death of king Richard I. anno domini 1198.
This chronicle, Selden says, does not belong to the person
whose name it goes under, and that John Brompton the
abbot did only procure it for his monastery of Jorevall.
But whoever was the author, it is certain he lived after the
beginning of the reign of Edward III. as appears by his di-
gressive relation of the contract between Joan, king Ed-
ward's sister, and David, afterwards king of Scots. This
historian has borrowed pretty freely from Hoveden. His
chronicle is printed in the u Decern Script Hist. Angliae,"
Lond-1652, fol.*

BRONCHORST (John), of Nimeguen, where he was
born in 1494, and therefore sometimes called NoviOMAGUg,
was an eminent mathematician of the sixteenth century,
and rector of the school of Daventer, and afterwards pro*
fessor of mathematics at Rostock. He died at Cologne ire
1570. Saxius says that he was first of Rostock, then of
Cologne, and lastly of Daventer, which appears to be pro-
bable from the dates of his writings. He wrote, 1. " Scho-
lia in Dialecticam Georgii Trapezuntii," Cologne and
Leyden, 1537, 8vo. 2. " Arithmetica," ibid, and Paris,*
1539. 3. " De Astrolabii compositione," Cologne, 1533,
8vo. 4. a Urbis Pictaviensis (Poitiers) tumultus, ejusque
Restitutio," an elegiac poem, Pictav. 1562, 4to. . 5. "Ven,
Beds de sex mundi eetatibus," with scholia, and a conti-
nuation to the 26th of Charles V. Cologne, 1537. He also
translated from the Greek, Ptolomy's Geography. *

BRONCHORST (Everard), son of the preceding,
was born at Daventer in 1554, and became one of the most
celebrated lawyers in the Netherlands. He studied at Co-
logne, Erfurt, Marpurg, Wittemberg, and Basil, at which
last place he took his doctor's degree in 1579. He after-
wards taught law at Wittemberg for a year, and at Erfurt'
for two years, and returned then to his own country, where

1 Dodd's Church Hfct. vol.. III.

* Selden in vitis X. Script — Tanner.— -Nicolson,s English Hist. Library.

* Moreri.— Foppen.— «Saxii Onemast.

BRONCHORST. 4?

■

ke was appointed burgomaster of Daventer in 1586, and
the year following professor at Leyden, Where he died
May 27, 1627. His principal works were : 1. " Centura
et conciliationes earundem con troversiarura juris, Cent. II.*9
1621. 2. " Methodus Feudorum," Leyden, 8vo. 3.
u Aphorismi politici," first collected by Lambert Danaeusj
and enlarged by Bronchorst, probably a good book, as it
was prohibited at Rome in 1646. 1

BRONZERIO (John-Jerom), an Italian physician, was
born of wealthy parents, in Abadia, near Rovigo, in the
Venetian territory, in 1577. After making great progress
in the study of the belles lettres, philosophy, and astro-
nomy, he was sent to Padua, where he was initiated into
the knowledge of medicine and anatomy, and in 1597, was
made doctor. He now went to Venice, where he practised
medicine to the time of his death, in 1630. His publica-
tions are, " De inn a to calido, et natural i spiritu, in quo
pro veritate rei Galeni doctrina defenditur," 1626, 4to;
" Disputatio de Principatu Hepatis ex Anatome Lampe-
trae," Patav. 4to. Though from dissecting the liver of this
animal he was satisfied the blood did not acquire its red
colour there, yet he did not choose to oppose the doctrine
of Galen. His observation, however, was probably not
lost, but led the way to a more complete discovery of the
fact, by subsequent anatomists. He published also, " De
Principio Effectivo Semini insito." *

BRONZINO. SeeALLORI.

BROOKE (Frances), whose maiden name was Moore,
was the daughter of a clergyman, and the wife of the rev.
John Brooke, rector of Colney in Norfolk, of St. Augus-
tine in the city of Norwich, and chaplain to the garrison of
Quebec. She was as remarkable for her gentleness and
suavity of manners as for her literary talents. Her hus-
band died on the 21st of January 1789, and she herself
expired on the 26th of the same month, at Sleaford, where
she had retired to the house of her son, now rector of
Folkingham in Lincolnshire. Her disorder was a spas*
modic complaint. The first literary performance we know;
of her writing was the " Old Maid," a periodical- work,
begun November 15, 1755, and continued every Saturday
until about the end of July 1756. These papers have

1 Moreri.— rFoppen. — Freheri.— lilust Academiae Leid. 1614, 4to# p. 89.—
Saxii Onomast.
• Alureri Haller Bibl. Med.—Freberi Theatrum.

4S BROOK E.

since been collected into one volume 12 mo. In the same
year (1756) she published " Virginia," a tragedy, with
odes, pastorals, and translations, 8vo. In the preface to
this publication she assigns as a reason for its appearance,
" that she was precluded from all hopes of ever seeing the
tragedy brought upon the stage, by there having been two
so lately on the same subject." — " If hers," she adds,
" should be found to have any greater resemblance to the
two represented, than the sameness of the story made un-
avoidable, of which she is not conscious, it must have been
accidental on her side, as there are many persons of very
distinguished rank and unquestionable veracity, who saw
hers in manuscript before the others appeared, and will
witness for her, that she has taken no advantage of having
seen them. She must here do Mr. Crisp the justice to
say, that any resemblance ipust have been equally acci-
dental on his part, as he neither did, nor could see her
Virginia before his own was played ; Mr. Garrick having
declined reading hers till Mr. Crisp's was published." Pre-
fixed to this publication were proposals for printing by
subscription a poetical translation, with notes, of il Pastor
Fido, a work which probably was never completed.

In 1763 she published a novel, entitled, "The History
of Lady Julia Mandeville," concerning the plan of which
there were various opinions, though of the execution there
seems to have been but one. It was read with much
avidity and general approbation. . It has been often, how-
ever, wished that the catastrophe had been less melan-
choly ; and of the propriety of this opinion the authoress
herself is said to have been satisfied, but did not choose to
make the alteration. In ' the same year she published
" Letters from Juliet lady Catesby to her friend lady Hen-
rietta Campley," translated from the French, 12mo. She
soon afterwards went to Canada with her husband, who
was chaplain to the garrison at Quebec ; and there saw
those romantic scenes so admirably painted in her next
work, entitled, " The History of Emily Montagu," 1769,
.4 vols. 12mo. The next year she published " Memoirs of
the Marquis of St. Forlaix," in 4 vols. 12mo. On her re-
turn to England accident brought her acquainted with Mrs.
Yates, and an intimacy was formed between them which
lasted as long as that lady lived ; and when she died, Mrs.'
Brooke did honour to her memory by a eulogium printed
in the Gentleman's Magazine. If we are not mistaken,

BROOKE. 4?

Mrs. Broofee bad with Mrs. Yates for a tim£ some share ia
the opera-house. She certainly had some share of the
libellous abuse which the management of that theatre du-
ring the above period gave birth to. We have already
seen that her first play had been refused oy Mr. Garrick.
After the lapse of several years she was willing once more
to try her fortune at the theatre, and probably relying ou
the influence of Mrs. Yates to obtain its representation,
produced a tragedy which had not the good .fortune to
please the manager. He therefore rejected it; and by
that means excited the resentment of the autheress so
much that she took a severe revenge on him in a novel
published in 1777, entitled the " Excursion,'' in 2 vols*
12mo. It is not certainly known whether this rejected
tragedy is or is not the same as was afterwards acted at
Covent-garden. If it was, it will furnish no impeachment
of Mr. Garrick's judgment It ought, however, to bar
added, that our authoress, as is said, thought her invec*
tire too severe ; lamented and retracted it. In 177.1 she
translated "Elements of the History of England, from:
the invasion of the Roman* (to the reign of George IL
from the abb6 MiUot,' ' in 4 vols. 1 2 mo. In January 1781,
the " Siege of Sinope," a tragedy, was acted at Covent-
garden. This piece added but little to her reputation,
though the principal characters were well supported by
Mr. Henderson and Mrs. Yates* It went nine nights, but
never became popular *, it wanted energy, and bad not
much originality; there was little to disapprove, but no-
thing to admire. Her next and most popular performance
#as " Rosina," acted at Covent-garden in December 1782*
This she presented to Mr. Harris, and few pieces have
been equally successful. The simplicity of the story, the
elegance of the words, and the excellence of the music,
promise a long duration tp this drama. Her concluding
work, was " Marian," acted 1788 at Covent-garden witto
some success, but very much inferior to Rosina.1

BROOKE (Hskky), an amiable and ingenious writer,
was a native of Ireland, where he was born in the year 1706.
His father, the rev. William Brooke of Rantavan, rector
of the parishes of Killinkare, Mullough, Mybullougb, and
ticowie, is said to have been a man of great talents and

1 From our latt edition.— Gent Mag, vol, LIX.— Biog. Pram*— KicboU's
life of Bowyer*

Vow, VIL E

90 BROOKE.

worth J his mother's name was Digby. His education ap-
pears to have been precipitated in a manner not very usual £
after being for .some time the pupil of Dr. Sheridan, he
was sent to Trinity college, Dublin, and from thence re-
moved, when only seventeen years old, to study law in
the Temple. Dr. Sheridan was probably # the means of
his being introduced in London to Swift and Pope, who
regarded him as a young man of very promising talents.
How long he remained in London we are not told ; but on
his return to Ireland he practised for some time as a cham-
ber counsel, when an incident occurred which interrupted
his more regular pursuits, and prematurely involved him
in the cares of a. family. An aunt, who died at Westmgatli
about the time of his arrival in Ireland, committed to him
the guardianship of her daughter, a lively and beautiful
girl between eleven and twelve years old. Brooke, pleased
with the trust, conducted her to Dublin, and placed her
at a boarding-school, where, during his frequent visits/ fie
gradually changed the guardian for the lover, and at length
prevailed on her to consent to a private marriage. In the
life prefixed to his works, this is said to have taken place
before she had reached her fourteenth year : another ac-
count, which it is neither easy nor pleasant to believe,
informs us that she was a mother before she had completed
that year. When the marriage was discovered, the cere-
mony was again performed in the presence of his family.
For some time this happy pair had no cares but to please
each other, and it was not until after the birth of their
third child that Brooke could be induced to think seriously
how such a family was to be provided for. The law had
long been given up, and he had little inclination to re-
sume a profession which excluded so many of the pleasures
of imagination, and appeared inconsistent with the feelings
pf a mind tender, benevolent, and somewhat romantic.
Another journey to London, however, promised the ad-*
vantages of literary society, and the execution of literary
schemes by which he might indulge his genius, and be
rewarded by fame and wealth. Accordingly, soon after
his arrival, he renewed his acquaintance with his former
friends, and published his philosophical poem, entitled
^ Universal Beauty." This had been submitted to Pope,
who, probably, contributed his assistance, and whose man-
Iter at least is certainly followed. At what time this oc-
fcurrfcd is uncertain* The second part was published U

fc It 0 6 K £. *i

1735, and the remainder about a year after. What faro*
pr advantage he derived from it we know not, as no men-
tion is made of him in the extensive correspondence of
Pope or Swift. He was, however, obliged to return to
Ireland, wher^ for a short time he resumed his legal pro-
fession.

■ In 1737 he went a third time to London, where he waft
introduced to Lyttelton and others, the political and lite-
rary adherents of the prince of Wales, "who," it is said,
-** caressed him with uncommon familiarity, and presented
him with many elegant and valuable tokens of his friend-
ship.'* . Amidst such society, he had every thing to point
bis ambition to fame and independence, and readily caught

: that fervour of patriotic enthusiasm which was the bond of
union and the ground of hope in the prince's court.

'In 1738 he published a translation 'of the First; Three
Books of Tasso, of which it is sufficient praise that Hoole
says : u It i? at once so harmonious and so spirited', that I
think an entire translation of IVsso by him would, not only %
have rendered my task unnecessary,^ but have, discouraged
those from the attempt whose poetical abilities ate much

' superior to.mine." He Was* however, diverted from com-
pleting his translation, by his political friends, who, among
other plans of hostility against the minister of the day, en-
deavoured' to turn all the weapons of literature against
him. Their prose writers were ilumerdiis, but principally
essayists and pamphleteers: from their 'pbets they had
greater expectations ; Taul Whitehead wrote satires ;
Fielding, comedies and farces ; Glover., an epic poem ;
and now Brooke was encouraged to introduce Walpole in
a tragedy » This was eritMed " G'ustavus Vasa, the de*
liverer of his country," and was accepted by Drufy*lane

1 theatre, and almost quite ready for performance, when an
order came from the lord chamberlain to prohibit it. That
it contains a considerable portion of p&rty- spirit cannot be
denied, and the character of Trollio, the Swedish minister,

*- however unjustly, was certainly intended for sir Robert

"Walpole; but it may be doubted whether this minister
gained much by prohibiting the acting of a play which he

. aad hot the courage to suppress when published, and when
the sentiments, considered deliberately in the closet, might

* be hearty as injurious as when delivered by a mouthing
actor. The press, however, remained open, ahdthepro-

kib\tion having excited an uncommon degree of curiosity,

■•*.• « _ . - •

R 2

j i

the f.u%>r was jptire ricbjv r<ejeai;de4 than he c&uld 4we
been, by the profit? of the f t$ge. Aboyje a thousand copied
were subscribed for at £ve schillings e$cb, and jby the fiate
of the subsequent edition, flhe autb.qr is ftdd to have
cleaned .nearly a thousand p^p^s. T&p editor of the
Biographia Dramatica says that it was acted in 1742, with
some ^ltei^t ipns, on tlje Jri$b stfg$, fcy the titje pf " The
Patriot." Dr. J#bnSPP> wfeq # $b*s tip^e r*fikfc£ among
the discontented* wrpte p. very jpgenioujs ^iric^l p?«n~
pblet in favour of $be ^udftofr entitled " A pontpiete vin-
dication o/ t^e Licensers of the Stage frpm *be m?4ick>u*
and scandalous -fspe^ons pf lyir, grppkp, Wfctbof of <Jus-
tav.usVasa," 1739, Uo.

The fame Brooke $tcq.uire4 by this pky, iphicb baa cert
tainly m^any beauties, seeded the earnest pf a prospieroti*
career, >aud a? fee thought be could now afford to wait the
&k>w progress of eyentSj fee l^ir^e4 * bpuse at Twickenham*
near to Pope'*, furjusb^J ?£ <gejatoelly, $nd s$njt for M«3-
Brooke and his family, $ut tl}$s£ pattering prwpepte #era
soon clouded. He was seized witljL ap .agpe 90 violent *&d
obstinate that hfs physicians, after having almost 4«#pw*eti
of bis life, advise^ hin), 9s $ lasi fle^oprce, £9 $ry hi? ftativ*
air. Wi& this be cpippfted, *#4 <obt&jfle4 ft fK*fcpl#* re-
covery. It was thep . expected tha$ h$ should r&turu to
London, and such wa? certainly bjs .int£otioq> but to the
surprise of hi? friends, fre determined tp remain in Ireland*
jFor a conduct 50 $ppprently inconsistent not pnly wijtb hi*
interest, but his inclination, be was Ions; unwilling to acT
count. If, appeared afterward?, that Mr*. Brooke wa#
alarmed flfc the zeaJ with wbjch he espoused the cause of
the opposition ajyj dr^ded tb$ cpns5qu$fyc£s wWh wtoiicki
bis pext intenjpgr^fcte pubjic^tipi) might be followed. Sh*
persuaded bjin t^ece/foi^ to r-ejpain in Irejaqd, %nd for w>
singular p, measure *t tfcts favourable crisis, in hj# history,
be could assign gp adequate ye&sQft «vi*fefeut exposing bar
to the iiBputat'19^ f of cagrfcfi, afyd \»m§\( *Q jthtf of a too
yielding tamper.

During his residence in Ire)ai*d, be kept up a literary
corresppn4ei?f?e frith his Lpn4pa frjte&ds, but ail their let-
f^l wepe con^fpqd by an a^pcMle.n^i fire. Two frpnj Pope,
f?e are told, are particularly \g h§ ^epted, ^ in one of
these he professed hio)seif in heart a protectant, but apo-
logized fpr not publicly cjonfprming, by alleging that it
wpul4 ^p4«r ^ ^ve of his fltytftor'* life unhappy, Pope'a

BK09SE 5 J

•

filial rfffmicmf is? fife iftdfc* amiable ftjtoi&ff fol Ms* ahai-acter ;
but this stofy of his d*clirtitog ttf confcrrt feete^H^ it wfcultf
gitfe utasasiness to his flMth**, &Us to the gtotad' wfteii
the reader is told tttat kis nether hfe* befcto <teatf. six or
seven yea«* before' Brook*: w«ttt to frildftd: In* anther
letter, tier is> &ldy wilEh m&ra'appe*ra<tae of tlrtfth,. td hav«
tfdvised' Btiofeke to talk* <frck*s; * as* being a* profession
better suited to his principles, his disposition, and* his ge-
*ta&, tlfcfci that? of the Ww, and afeo ties* injuribtts tki his
healths Why h* ctid ito* comply wMtf this afdvhte cannot
iwtfv be krt&ww; btwl, bdlkmthffe'time*' lie- appears- to hav£
teen of a- religions* tarty 4lt*iough * is no* <*a3y to rt&on-
<$ile his*]M*nbiptog; w%teli>w*¥e tho^ of tihe ^tridt^t kind,
Wlth< lite OHftioual1 atobition to shine a* a draddatib writer.

Hor sothe yisairW afte* his arrival' in Ireland!, little is
known oft his life, *#ce$Q thtft *lor*d Ciesterflfci*, when Vice-
roy, cortto-^du^Ofthim^ the- office of barrack-riiastef. His
howevGtf, Was' not idte. ItV 1741, he contributed to
sV vercfcttf oft ehftwtery << Cbhstabtia, or tfo^Maitof
fc Tate;'' a&4 in 1745, afecordfog tJb- dne- account, his
tragedy of the u Earl of Westmoreland" was performed
oa the Dublin stage ; Hut tb# ddkdtf of tfc«i Bibgtephia
Bramaftea ihfortns us> tji»t^ war fit^f act^d^tJ Dublin in
fWty utodnr thfc title oB thfe " Better ctf HW Cobrftry,"
and' again in 1754 under thdtfof1 ^ Ittjured HtHttktr." its
feaife, however, wa* confined* W Ireland; rior wtfs it' knowii
itr Engtand) Until tife pubttfcatk>ri df Ms* pttetteal works ill
1778. A more imptfrt&rit publication washis* « Farmer's
fceatetfc," written* in K740, on tHe'pted <tf Swfttfs'BteiiJier's
lettfetoj arid wiito' a view to rotiste tbfef spirit of freedom
attong ttefir Irish,' threatened, as thfey wtere, in common with
tmr feMow-sfctyfcfctfc; by rebettioft atod> invasion.

fii 1*74$ hb wtfctte aw epilogue on the birth-day* of the
duke <rf Cttmbferktad; spoken- bf Mr* Garrtek in Dublin,
and a pit)togu& tt> Otfieilttt Id 17<#7 hfe contributed to
Mttoj<exs vok*&w* of' Rabies* four* of gre^t poetical' merit,
*fa. ttTheTetnpteo#Hy*itett;" "TheS^rtroWandDfrve;"
v. Thg'lfctnate Sedttder^1' atod « LoVe and Vanity ." In
1748 he wrote a prologue to the Foundling, and a dramatic
opera Entitled " Little John and the Giants;" This was
acted only one night in Dublin, being then prohibited on
account of certain political allusions. On this occasion he
wrote " The last speech of John Good, alias Jack the
Giant Queller," a satirical effusion, not very pointed, and

«* BRIO O -IfE

mixed with political allegory, and a profusion of quotatiatf*
from scripture against tyrants and. tyranny.. In 17 4-9, his
lc Earl of EsseK," a tragedy, was performed at Dublin,
and afterwards, in 1760, at Drury-lane theatre, with so
much suceess.as tQ.be preferred to the rival plays on the
$ame subject by Banks and Jones;. At what -time his other
dramatic, pieces were written, or acted, if acted at all, is
uncertain*.

His biographer informs us, that, "wearied at length
with fruitless* efforts to arouse the slumbering genius of hi*
country— disgusted, with her ingratitude-*-and sick of her
venality, he withdrew to his paternal seat, and there, in
the^ society of the _rnuses, and the peaceful bosom of do«-
oiestic love, cpnsoled himself for lost advantages and dis**
appointed hopes. An only brother, whom he tenderly
loved, accompanied bis retirement^ with a family almost
£s numerous as his own ; and there, Jbr many years, they
lived together with. uninterrupted harmony and affection r
the nephew .w^-as dear as the son — the uncle as revered
as the father— and the sister-in-law almost a* beloved aa
]the wife."

In 1762, be published a pamphlet entitled "The Trial
of the Roman Catholics," the object of which was to re-
move the politicals restraints on that class, and to prove
£hat thi? may b& done with safety. In this attempt, how+
fever, b)s ^eal^ed him so far as to question incontrovertible
fsLCt&x. and even to assert ihat the history of the Irish mas,
jsacre in. 1641 is nothing but an old wives fable ; and upon
the whole he leans wore to the principles of the Roman
catholic religion, than an argument professedly political
pr a mere question of extended toleration, seemed to re*
quire. HUV next work excited more attention in England.
}n 176$. appeared the first volume of the "Fool of Qua*
lity, or the history of the eajrl of, Moreland," a novel,, re*
plete with knowledge of buman life and: manners, and in
which there, are many admirable traits of moral feeling and
propriety, but mixed, as the author advances towards the
p lose, with, so much, of religious discussion, and my$terk>ai

* These were " The Contending but is said to have been the production

Brothers," the " Female Officer," and of another hand/ 6f these, the " *£

£he ■« Marriage Gontraot,'* comedies, ; male Officer*' only j? said to have bet*

" The Impostor," a tragedy, and- once acted, when Mrs. Woffington pep-.

*' Cymbeline," an injddiciouft altera- sonated the officer, ' probably at ten

tieo from Shakespeare. " Montezuma," benefit. • '• • "X -. ' ••*".?

5 tragedy, is printed aqjODg his worl^, ; , ; , . 4. j-,.]

BROOKE 55

•torte* and opinions, as to leave it doubtful whether he in-
clined most to Behmenism or popeiy. It became, how*
ever,* when completed in five volumes, 1770, a very po-
pular novel, and has often been reprinted since.

In 1772, he published u Redemption," a poem, in which
that great mystery of our religion is explained and ampli-
fied by bolder figures than are usually hazarded. His
taste wan indeed evidently on the decline, add in this as
well as ail his later performances, he seems to have yielded
to the enthusiasm of the moment, without any reserve ill
favour of bis better judgment. In this poem, too, he ap-
pears to have lost his pronunciation of the English so far
as to introduce rhymes which must be read according to
the vulgar Irish. His last work was u Juliet Grenville," a
novel in three volumes, which appeared in 1774. This is
very justly entitled " The History of the Human Heart,*1
the secret movements of which few novelists have better
understood ; but there is such a mixture of the most sacred
doctrines of religion with the common incidents and chit-
chat of the mchiern romance, that his best friends could
with difficulty discover among these ruins, some fragments
which indicated what his genius had once been.
- In this year (1774) we are told, that Garrick pressed
him earnestly to write for the stage, and offered to enter
into articles with him at the rate of a shilling per line for
all be should write during life, provided that be wrote for
him alone. ' " This Garrick,19 says bis biographer, "looked
upon as an extraordinary compliment to Mr. Brooke's abi-
lities ; - but he could not, however, bring him over to hi*
opinion, nor prevail with him to accept of his offer ; on the
contrary, he rejected it with some degree of haughtiness —
for which Garrick never forgave him. He was then in the
foil and flattering career to fortune and to fame, and would
have thought it a disgrace to hire out his talents, and tie
himself down to necessity n In this story there is enough
to induce us to reject it. Brooke was so far from being at
Ibis time in the full and flattering career to fortune and to
^me, that be had out-lived both. And supposing that
there may be some mistake in the date of Garrick's propo-
sal, and that for 1774 we should read 1764, or even 1754*
.the proposal itself is too ridiculous to bear examination*
; Our author's tenderness of heart and unsuspecting tenv»
per involved him in pecuniary difficulties. He was ever
prone to give relief to the distressed, although the imipe*

*6 B ft O O K B.

dif te roaseqoertc^ of hi? liberality was that he wanted re*
lief himself, and at length was compelled to dispose of his
property, and remove to Kildare. Aft^r living some time
here, he took a farm near his former residence. Where
this residence was, his biographers have not mentioned ;
but soon after his return, they inform us that he lost bis
wife, to whom he bad been happily united for nearly fifty
yean?. The shock which this calamity gave to a mind,
never probably very firm, and the wreck of a family of
seventeen children now reduced to two, was followed by a
State pf mental imbecility from which he newer recovered.
Ttye confusion of his ideas, indeed, bad been visible in
jftost of bis later writings, and the infirmities of age com-
pleted what his family losses and personal disappointments
had begun. His last days, however, were cheered by the
hopes qf religion, which became brighter as he approached
the b^u/ in which they were to be fulfilled. He died Oct;
"JO, 1783*, leaving a son, since dead, and a daughter,
tb* $bild of his old age.

Hi? poetical works were collected in 1778, in four vo~
tames octavo, printed very incorrectly, and with the ad~
dition of some pieces which were not hm In 1792 anot-
fber edition was published at Dublin, by his daughter, who
jwfocured some memoirs of her father prefixed to the firai
volume. In this she informs naf she found many difficuK-
ties. He had lived to m advanced an age, that most of hia
contemporaries deputed before Win, audi this young lady
xegiembered nothing of him ptevioua tor bis retirement
from the world. Such; an apology cfcwnet be refused, while
we must yet regret that mm Brooke w#s not able to col-
lect infprmauon more to be depended on, and arranged
with mo-re attention to date*. The oamttgre* aa we find it,
lis confused and contradictory.

From all, however, that can now be learned, Brooke
was a «*an of a most amiable character and ingenuous tern^
per, and perhaps few men have produced writings d£ tfar
same variety, the tendency of all which is so uniformly in
favour of religious and moral principle. Yet even in fcbi£
there are inconsistencies which we know not how "to ex-
plain, unless we attribute them to an extraordinary defect
in judgment. During a great part of his life, his religi-
ous opinions approached to what are now termed methodise

* He w&s in possession of the place of barrack- master of Mulliitgar, at hia

BROOKE. 5?

tical, and one difficulty, in contemplating hi* character,
is to reconcile this with his support of the stage, and his
writing those trifling farces we find among his works. Per-
haps it may be said that the necessities of his family made
him listen to the importunity of those friends who con*
sidered the stage as a profitable resource ; but by taking
such advice he was certainly no great gainer. Except in
die case of his " Gustavu*" and '* Earl of Essex," there is
no reason to think that he was successful, and the greater
part of his draiftas were never performed at all, or printed
until 1778, when he eould derive very little advantage,
from them. Nor can we impute it to any cause, except &
total want of judgment and an ignorance of the public
taste, that he intermixed the most awful doctrines of reli-
gion, and the lighter incidents and humorous sketches of
vulgar or fashionable life, in his novels. He lived, how-
ever, we are told, more consistently than he wrote. No
day passed in which he did not collect his family to prayer,
and read and expounded the scriptures to them *. Among
his tenants and humble friends he was the benevolent and
genefous character which he had been accustomed to de-
pict in his works, and while be had the means, he literally
went about doing good.

As a poet, he delights hjs- readers principally by occa-
sional flights of a vivid imagination, but has in no instance
given us a poem to which criticism may not suggest many
reasonable objections. The greater part of his life, he
lived remote from the friends of whose judgment he might
have availed himself, and by whose taste his own might
fyive been regulated His first production, Universal*
Beauty, has a aoble display of fancy in many parts. It is
not improbable that Pope, to whom he submitted it, gave

* The following anecdote is given being over, be opened the bible, and

by bis biographer, with some regret preached extempore on the first text

that he bad not been, educated for the that struck his eye. In the middle of

church. " One Sunday, while the con- bis discourse, the clergyman Entered,

gregation were assembled in the rural and found the whole congregation in

church of the parish Wt which he lived, tears. He entreated Mr. Brooke to

they waited a long time the arrival of proceed; but this he modestly refused ;

their clergyman. At last, finding be and the other as modestly declared,

was not likely to come that day, they that after the testimony of superior

judged that some Occident bad detained abilities, which he perceived in the

him J and being loth to depavt entirely moist eyes of ail present, be would*

without their errand, they with one ac- think it presumption and folly to hazard

cord requested that Mr. Brooke would any thing of his ewn. Accordingly,

perform the service for them, and ex- the concluding prayers alone were

pound a part of the scriptures — He said, and the congregation; dismissed

consented, and the previous prayers for the day.1'

St BROOK E.

him some assistance, and he certainly repaid his instructor
by adopting his manner ; yet he has avoided Pope's moncw
tony, and would have done this with more effect, if we did
not perceive a mechanical lengthening of certain lines,
rather than a natural variety of movement. On the other
hand, the sublimity of the subject, by which he was in-
spired and which he hoped to communicate, sometimes
betrays him into a species of turgid declamation. Har-
mony appears to be consulted, and epithets multiplied to
please the ear at the expence of meaning. *

BROOKE (JoHn Charles), late Somerset-herald, was
the sou of William Brooke, M. D. of Fieldhead, near Dads*
worth in Yorkshire, and a gentleman by descent He waft
born in 1748, and. put apprentice to Mr. James Kirkby, a
chemist,, in Bartlett's-buildings, London ; but discovering a
strong turn to heraldic pursuits, and having, by a pedigree
of the Howard family, which he drew, attracted the notice
'of the then duke of Norfolk* he procured him a place in
the college of arms, by the title of Rouge Croix pursui-
vant, in 1775,- from which, in 1778, he was advapced td
that of Somerset herald, which, office he held at his dead*,
and by the interest of the present duke of Norfolk he wa$
also one of the lieutenants in the militia of the West Riding
of Yorkshire. On Feb. 3> 1794, he was suffocated, with
his friend Mr. Pirigo of York, and many other persons, in
attempting to get into the pit at the little theatre in the
llaymarket. It did not appear that he bad been throwtj
down, but was suffocated as he stood ; his countenance
had the appearance of sleep, and even the colour in his
cheeks remained. ^He was interred, with great respect,
and the attendance of the. principal members of the college
and of the society of antiquaries, Feb. 6, in a vault under
the heralds' seat, in the church of St. Ben net, Paul's
Wharf. A mural monument, by Ashton, has since beeii
placed over his remains by Edmund Lodge, esq. Lancaster
herald. ^ . r

Mr. Brooke, by a well-regulated oeconomy, had a^
quired about 14,000/. By his will he appointed his two
sisters executrixes and residuary legatees, and bequeathe^
%his MSS. to the college of arms. He made many collec-
tions, chiefly relative to the county of York. His father

inheriting the MSS. of bis great uncle, tbe^rev. Johty

* >

* Johns*!) an4 Cfealapre's English Poet*. 21 igfe. 1810, gv«.

BROOKE. Si

JBrooke, which he had made as a foundation for the topo-
graphy of that great division of the kingdom, they came
into his hands, and he greatly enlarged them by his own
industry, and by copying the manuscripts of Jennings and
TeJIyson, which treated upon the same subject His coir
lections were not confined to Britain ; but he added much
to his literary labours whilst on a tour to (he continent*
The whole shew his judgment as well as application. Be-
coming, April 6, 1775, a member of the society of anti-
quaries, he enriched their volumes with some curious pa-
pers relative to the ancient seal of Robert baron Fitz-
walter, and those of queens Catharine Parr and Mary
d'Este; illustrations of a Saxou inscription in Kirkdal$
church, in the North Riding of Yorkshire, and another in
Aldborough church, in Hblderness ; and of a deed belong-
ing to the manor of Nether-Sillington, in Yorkshire. Some
items of his, signed J. B. appear in the Gentleman's
Magazine ; and the first writers of the age in history, bio*
graphy, and topography, have been indebted to bim.1

BROOKE (Ralph), York herald, whose real name wa?
Brookesworth, until he changed it to Brooke, was bred to
the trade of a painter-stainer, of which cdmpeny he be-
came free, September 3, 1576, and leaving this, he be-
came an officer at arms. He was so extremely worthless
and perverse, that his whole mind seems bent to malice
and wickedness : un&wed by virtue or station, none were
secure from his unmerited attacks. He became a disgrace
to the college, a misfortune to his contemporaries, and *
misery to himself. With great sense and acquirements, b$
sunk into disgracfe and contempt. He was particularly
hostile to Camden, publishing " A Discovery of Errors"
found in his Britannia. Camden returned his attack
partly by silence, and partly by rallying Brooke, as entirely
ignorant of his own profession, incapable of translating or
understanding the " Britannia," in which he had disco-
vered faults, offering to submit the matter in dispute to the
earl Marshal, the college of heralds, the society of anti-
quaries, or four persons learned in these studies. Irritated
f till mpfe, he wrote a " Second Discovery of Errors," which
h£ presented tp James I, January 1, 1619-20, who, on thet
4th following, prohibited its publication, but it was pub-*
jjshed by Anstis, in 1723, in 4 to. In it are Camden's *up*

' I Gent Maf , vol. LXlV.-^Nobfo's College of An*v

60 BROOKE.

posed errors, with his objections, Camden' d reply, and hw
own answers. In the appendix, in two columns, are placed
the objectionable passage* in the edition of 1594, and the
Mime as they stood in that of 1600. In 1622, he published
a *ahwlble work, dedicated t$6 James I. entitled " A Ca-
talogue and Succession of Kings, Princes, Dukes, Mar^-
4pft*e4, Earls, and Viscouflfs of this Realm, since the Nor*
mm Coftqftest, until 1619, &c." snfcll fotto. In hi* ad-
tltate to his majesty, he says, w he had spent fifty yeard*
kbottr aiftd experience, having Served his majesty and the
late qt*eCi* Elizabeth* of famotis memory, forty yearsr and
rtiore." That no dot** might be entertained of his ability,
he s4ioV he bald i# hi* custody the collections of the princi'-
psA heralds deceased, before «ftd during his time, adding,
without ostentation be it spoken, he held his library better
furnished than the office of arms. He does hot neglect to
iiftrcat James to prohibit upstarts artdf mountebanks from
impoverishing his ro*gesty*s poor servants, th6 officers of
arms, who labour daily, and spend both their bodies and
substance in doing their duty, tie was twice suspended
and imprisoned for scandalous misbehaviour : the first
ttae, for his shameful' conduct to Segar, Garter ; and in
¥620, a petition was exhibited against him and CresweH
atf disturbers of the whole body of herafds. On Oct. 15,
1627, with a view probably to expel him the college, it
Wawf soterttidy argued, Whether be was a herald; but the
chief barftiv of t&e% exchequer, Whitfield; decided itt hiia
favour. Dec. 4, he and CresweH, Somerset herald, were
sentenced to the Mfershalsea for having spoken contempt
tutttotily of the Earl Marshal. CresweH was obliged to de-
sign, but Bro6ke died in bis office, universally despised*,
Oct. 15, V62&, and wag buried in the church of Reculver
in Kcftft. l

BROOKE, or BROKE (Sir Robert), lord: chief justice
df the common pleas in the reign of queen Mary, and
author of sevetol books iti the latfr, was' son of Thomafe
JBtoeke of Claverly in Shropshire, by Margaret his wife!,
daughter of Hugh Grosvenor of Fartnot; in that county.
He was born at Claverly, and studied in the university of
Oxford* which was of great advantage tb him when he
studied the law in the Middle Temple, according to Mr.
Wood, though Mr. Stow, in his Annals under the yetf..

1 Noble's College of Arms.~Getit Mag. LXIlI.— Archfcdtogia, vol. I. p.xix.

BROOKE 61

1552, says hie vfes of Gray's -inn. Jiy bis prddigous appli-
cation and judgment fae became the greatest lawyer of his
lime. In 1542 he was elected autumn or summer reader
of the Middle Temple, and in Lent, 1550, be was chosen
double reader. In 1552 he was by writ called to be Ser-
jeant at law; and in 1553, which was the first of queen
Mary's reign, he was appointed lord chief justice of the
common pleas, and not of the king's bench, as some have
affirmed ; and about that time he received the honour of
knighthood from the queen, in whose reign he was highly
valued for his profound skill in the law, and his integrity it*
all points relating to the profession of it. Mr. Wood men-
tions a manuscript in the Ashmolean library at Oxford,
which informs us, that he had likewise been common Ser-
jeant and recorder of the city af London, and speaker of
the house of commons ; and that be died as he was visiting
bis friends in the country, September 5, 1553, and was in-
terred in the chancel of Claverly church, with a monu-
ment erected to him. In his last will, proved October 12
the same year, he remembers the church and poor of Put-
ney near London. He left his posterity a good estate at
Madeley in Shropshire, anfi at one or two places in Suf-
folk. He wrote " La Graunde Abridgement," which con-
tains, according to Mr. Wood, an abstract of the Year-
books to the reign of queen Mary; and Nicolson, in his
" English Historical Library," tells us, that in this work
he followed the example of Nicholas Statham, one of the
barons of the exchequer in the- time of Edward IV. who
first abridged the larger arguments and tedious reports of
the Year-books into a short system under proper heads and
common places tp the reign of king Henry VI. ; and that
oar author, sir Robert Brooke, made in his '< Graunde
Abridgement,'' an alphabetical absteact of all the choice
matters in our law, as contained m such commentaries, re-
cords, readings, &c. and that this work is a general epitome1
of all that could be had upon the several heads there treated'
upon. It has had several editions, particularly in London
in a small folio, 15745, !576, 1586, &c. amongst which edi-
tions, says Nicolson, (as it commonly fares with the authors
of that profession) the eldest are still reckoned the best.
]9e collected likewise the most remarkable cases adjudged'
in the court of common pleas from the sixth year of kirjg
Henry VIII. to the fourth of queen Mary, which book is
•tftitled " Ascuns novel Cases, &c."and frequently printed,

*3 BROOKE.

particularly jut London, 1578, 1604, 1625, &c. in %*<*'
He wrote also " A Reading on the Statute of Limitation*
32 Henry VIIL cap. 2," London, 1647, 8vo. Mr. Wood
supposes that it had been printed likewise before that
time. *

BROOKSBANK, or BROOKBANK (Joseph), bora in
1612, the son of George Brooksbank of Halifax, was en-
tered a batler in Brazen-nose college, in Michaelmas term
1632, took a degree in arts, went into orders, and had a
curacy. At length removing to London, he taught school
i,n Fleet-street, and preached there. The time of his
death is not known. He published, 1. " Breviate of Lilly's
Latin Grammar, &c." London, 1660, 8vo. 2. " The well-
tuned Organ ; or an exercitation, wherein this question is
fully and largely discussed, Whether or no instrumental
and organical music be lawful in holy public assemblies ?
Aifirmatur," ibid. 1660, 4to. 3. " Rebels tried and cast*,
in three Sermons,1' ibid. 1661, 12mo.f

BROOME (William) was born in Cheshire, as is said,
of very mean parents. Of the place of his . birth, or the
first part of his life, we have not been able to gain any in-
telligence. He was educated upon the foundation at Eton,
and was captain of the school a whole year, without any
vacancy, by which he might have obtained a scholarship at
King's college. Being by this delay, such as is said to have
happened very rarely, superannuated, he was sent to St*
John's college by the contributions of his friends, where
he obtained a small exhibition. At his college he Jived
^ for some tigae in the same chamber with the well-known
JjFprd, t)y whom Dr. Johnson heard him described as a con-
"tractfjd scholar and a mere versifier, unacquainted with life^
and qpskilful in conversation. His iiddiction to, metre was
then such, that his companions familiarly called him Pott.
When he had opportunities of mingling with mankind, he
cleared himself, as Ford likewise owned, from great part
of his scholastic rust.

He appeared nearly in the world as a translator of the
Iliads into prose, in conjunction with Ozetl and Oldis-
fworth. How their several parts were distributed i&.npt
known. This is the translation of which Ozell boasted a&
superior, in Tolaftd's opinion, to that of Pope : it has long

< VGen. Diet vol. X. p. 547.— Ath. Ox. vol, L— Tanner.
» *Ath Ox. vol. Il.~Wmtson?s Halifax* • - **.

» ' V ... i^^ . y

Broome. cs

stace vanished, and is how in no danger from the critics.
He was introduced to Mr. Pope, who was then visiting sir
.John Cotton at Madingiey, near Cambridge, and gained
so much of his esteem, that he was employed to make ex-
tracts from Eustathius for the notes to the translation of
the Iliad ; and in the volumes of poetry published by
Lintot, commonly called Pope's Miscellanies, many of his
early pieces were inserted. Pope and Broome were to be

{ret more closely connected. When the success of the
had gave encouragement to a version of the Odyssey,
Pope, weary of the toil, called Fenton and Broome to his
assistance ; and, taking only half the work upon himself,
divided thej other half between his partners, giving four
books to Fenton, and eight to Broome. Fenton's books
ire enumerated in Dr. Johnson's Life of him. To the lot
4f Broome fell the 2d, 6th, 8th, 11th, 12th, 1 6th, iSth,
and 23d ; together with the burthen of writing all the
notes*. The price at which Pope purchased this assist-
ance was three hundred pounds paid to Fenton, and five
hundred to Broome, with as many copies as hte wanted for
his friends, which amounted to one hundred more. The
4 payment made to Fenton is known only by hearsay;
Broome's is very distinctly told by Pope, in the notes to
the Dunciad: It is evident that; according to Pope's own
estimate, Broome was unkindly treated. If 'four books
could merit three hundrecf potthd$> eight, and alt the
notes, equivalent at least to four, had certainly a right to
jfcore than six. Broome probably considered himself as
injured, and there was for some' time more* than coldness
between him and his employer. He always spoke of Pope
as too much a loVer of money, and Pope pursued him with
avowed hostility, for he not only named him disrespectfully
in the " Dunciad," but quoted him more than once in the

* . * "As this translation it a eery id- .though Pope, in *t> advertisement pre-

portant event in poetical history, the fixed afterwards to a new volume of his

reader has a right to know upon what works, claimed only twelve. A natu*

^grounds I establish my narration: — That ral curiosity after the real conduct of

the version was not wholly Pope's, was so great an undertaking, incited me

, always known ; he bad mentioned^ the once to inquire of Dr. Warburton, who

' assistance of two friends in his pro- told me, in hit warm language, that he

*po*d», and at the end of tfw work> thought the relation given in the note

.•some account is gives by Broome .of a lie ; but that he was not able to as*

^heir different parts, which, however, certain the several shares. The intel-

memious only five books as written by ligenoe which Dr. Warburton could not

the coadjutors ; the fourth, and twen- . afford me, I obtained from Mr. Lang-

tieta, by Fenton ; the sixth, the ele«t ton, to whoa Mr. Spenoe had imparted

Ttotb, and U&e eighteenth, by himself: it.'* Dr. Jobwson. '

6* BROOME.

Bathos, as a proficient in the Art of Sinking ; and in hi*
enumeration of the different kinds of poets distinguished
for the profound, he reckons Broome among " the parrots
who repeat another's words in such a hoarse odd tone as
makes them seem their owp." It has been said that they
were afterwards reconciled ; but we are afraid . their peac?
was without friendship. He afterwards published a Mis*
ceilany of poems, and never rose to very high dignity ia
the church. He was some time rector of Sturston in Suf~
folk, where he married a wealthy widow ; and afterwards,
when the king visited Cambridge, 1729* became IX. D.
He was, 1733, presented by the crown to the rectory of
Pulham in Norfolk, which he held with Oakley Magna
in Suffolk, given him by the lord Cornwallis, to whom ho
was chaplain, and who added the vicarage of Eye in Suf-
folk} he then resigned Pulham, and retained the other
two. Towards the close of his life he grew again poetical,
and amused himself with translating odes of .Anacreon,
which he published in the Gentleman's Magazine, under
the na«*e of Chester, He died at Bath, Nov. 16, 1745*
and was buried in the abbey church.

Of Broome, says Dr. Johnson, though it cannot be said
that he was a great poet, it would be unjust to deny that
be was an excellent versifier; bis lines are smooth and so-*
norous, and bis diction is select and elegant. His rhymes
are sometimes unsuitable, but such faults occur but sel->
dom, and be had such power of words and numbers as
fitted him for translation ; but in his original works, recol-
lection seems to have been his business more than inven-
tion. His imitations are so apparent, that it is a part of
his reader's employment to recall the verses of some former
poet. . What he takes, however, he seldom makei worse ;
and be cannot be justly thought a mean man, whom Pope
chose for an associate, and whose co-operation was con-
sidered by Pope's enemies as so important, that he was
attacked by Henley with this ludicrous distich :

*' Pope came off clean with Homer : but they say
Broome went before, and kindly swept the way/'

Broome also published a coronation sermon in 1727*
and an assize sermon in 1737. l

BROSCHI (Carlo), better known under the name of
Farinello, was born the 24th of January, 1705, at Andria,

1 English Poets by Jotoffon, fcc, *-Nkfcolt'f P+ems, tol. IV.— JofeoMft*
Works. See Index.

BROSC IM. 65

in the kingdom of Naples, of a family noble, though poor.
From the patent of his knighthood of the order of Cala-
trava, it appears that he was indebted for the lasting agree-
ableness of his voice, not to a voluntary mutilation from,
the thirst of gain, but that he was obliged to undergo the
cruel operation on account of a dangerous hurt he received
in his youth, by a fall from a horse. He owed the first
rudiments of the singing art to his father Salvatore Brosco,
and his farther formation to the famous Porpora. At that
time there flourished at Naples three wealthy brothers of
the name of Farina, whose family is now extinct. These
persons vouchsafed him their distinguished patronage, and
bestowed on him the name of Farinello. For some time
his fame was confined to the convivial concerts of his pa-
trons, till it happened that the count of Schrautenbach,
nephew of the then viceroy, came to- Naples. To cele-
brate his arrival, the viceroy and his familiar friend An-
tonio Caracciolo, prince della Torella, caused the opera
of " Angelica and Medoro" to be represented, in which
Metastasio and Farinello plucked the "first laurels of their
immortal fame.

Thus fortune united the two greatest luminaries that
have appeared on the theatre in modern times, at the en-
trance on their career. Metastasio was then not more than
eighteen, and Farinello not above fifteen years of age.
This circumstance gave birth to an intimacy between them,
which at length was improved into a cordial friendship,
supported and confirmed, as long as they lived, by a regular
intercourse of epistolary correspondence.

Soon after Farinello was called to the principal theatres
in Italy, and every where richly rewarded. Between the •
years 1722 and 17 $4, he gave proofs of his powers at
Naples, Rome, Venice, and most of the cities of Italy;
and indeed more than once in almost all these places ; six
times at Rome, and at Venice seven. The report of his
-talents at length found its way across the Alps. Lord Es-
sex, the English ambassador at Turin, received a com-
mission to invite him to .London; where, for six months
performance, he was paid 1 500/. At Rome, during the
run of a favourite opera, there was a struggle every night
between him and a famous player on the trumpet, in a song
accompanied by that instrument; this, at first, seemed
amicable, and rilerely sportive, till the audience began to
interest themselves in th* contest, and to take different sides.

Vol* VIL F

to B'RO S C H I.

After severally swelling out a note, in which each manU
fested the power of his lungs, and tried to rival the other
in brilliancy and force, they had both a swell and a shake
together, by thirds, which was continued so long, while
the audience eagerly waited the event, that both seemed
to be exhausted ; and, in fact, the trumpeter wholly spent,
r gave it up, thinking however his antagonist as much tired
as himself, and that it would be a drawn battle ; when
Farinello, with a smile on his countenance, shewing be
had only been sporting with him all this time, broke out
all at once in the same breath, with fresh vigour, and not
only swelled and shook the note, but ran the most rapid
and difficult divisions, and was at last silenced only by the
acclamations of the audience. From this period may be
dated that superiority which he ever maintained over all
his contemporaries.

Scarcely ever had any singer a like capacity of per-
petually giving new accessions of force to his voice, and
always with pleasure ; and when it had attained to the
highest degree of energy, to keep it for a long time at that
pitch which the Italians call mezza di voce. While he
sung at London, in the year 1734, in an opera composed
by his brother Riccardo, at another theatre they were per-*
forming an opera set to music by Handel, wherein Se~
nesini, C ares tin i, and the no less celebrated Cuzzoni, had

{>arts. Farinello from the very beginning was acknowl-
edged to have the superiority by a mezza di voce, though
the rival theatre was favoured by the king and the princess
of Orange, of whom the latter had been Handel's scholar.
By this inferiority it fell into a debt of nine thousand
pounds.

The desire of exciting admiration, and of captivating the
ear mare than the mind of an auditor, still adhered to him,
but his good fortune provided him with an opportunity of
discovering and correcting this error. During his youth
he was three times at Vienna. In the year 1732 he wa$
there declared chamber- singer to his imperial majesty.
The emperor Charles VI. shewed him great affection, partly
on account of his excellency as a singer, and partly also
because he spoke the Neapolitan dialect with great form*
ality and drollery. The emperor was a pice judge of singing^
and would frequently accompany him on the harpsichord*
One day he entered into a friendly conversation with
kirn on music, and praised indeed his wonderful force au4

/

BR08CHI. €7

dexterity in this art, but blamed the too great affectation
©fan excellence which does not touch the heart. " Choose,*1
said he, " a simpler and easier method ; and be sure that,
with the gifts wherewith you are so richly endowed by na-
ture, you will captivate every hearer." This advice had
such an effect on Farinello, that from that hour he struck
out into a different manner. He confessed, himself, to
Dr. Burney, that the emperor's gracious advice had had
more effect upon him than all the lessons of his teachers,
and all the examples of his brother artists. Whoever is
desirous of knowing more concerning the perfection he
bad reached in the art he professed, will get all the sa-
tisfaction he can require on that head, by perusing the
" Riflessioni sopra il canto figurato" of Giovanni Baptista
Mancini.

From the moral failings to which theatrical performers
are commonly addicted, he was either totally free, or in-
dulged them with moderation. At first he was fond of
gaming, but after some time he forsook it entirely. He
behaved with sigular probity to the managers of the opera.
As they paid him richly, he made it a point of honour to
promote their interest as far as it depended on him. For
this reason he carefully avoided every thing that might be
a hindrance to him in the fulfilling of his engagements. He
even set himself a strict regimen, and moderated himself in
his amusements. He was so conscientious on this head, that
be would not for any consideration be prevailed on to let a
song be heard from him out of the theatre ; and, during
his three years stay in England, he constantly passed the
spring season in the country, for. the sake of invigorating
his lungs, by breathing a free and wholesome air. In his
expences he was fond of elegance, yet he indulged it
without extravagance ; so that even before he left Italy, he
had already laid out a capital upon interest at Naples, and
bad purchased a country-house, with lands about it, si-
tuated at the distance of half.an Italian mile from Bologna,
By degrees he rebuilt the mansion in a sumptuous style,
itk hopes of making it a comfortable retreat for his declining
years : and there he afterwards ended his life.

In the year 1737, when he had reached the summit af
fame,, he appeared for the last time on the stage at London ;
from whence he departed for the court of Spain, whither
he was invited through the solicitations of queen Elizabeth,
who had known his excellence at Parma. Her design was,

F 2

68 B R O S C HI.

by the ravishing notes of this great master, to wean her
spouse king Philip V. from his passion for the chace, trf
which his strength was no longer adequate. On, his way
to Madrid, he had the honour to give a specimen of his
talents before the French king at Paris J and we are told
by Riccoboni, that all the audience were so astonished at
hearing him, that the French, who otherwise detested the
Italian music, began from that time to waver in their no-
tions. He had scarcely set his foot in Madrid, but the
king hastened to hear him ; and was so much taken with
the agreeableness of his song, that he immediately settled
on him, by a royal edict, a salary equal to what he had
received in England, together with an exemption from all
public taxes, as a person destined to his familiar converse ;
aijd granted him, besides, the court equipages and livery,
free of all expence. He could not pass a day without him ;
not only on account of his vocal abilities, but more on ac-
count of the agreeable talents he possessed for. conversa-
tion. He spoke French and Italian elegantly, had some
knowledge of the English and German, and in a short time
learnt the Castilian. By his courtesy and discretion he
gained the affection of every one. In his converse he was
sincere to an uncommon degree, even towards the royal
personages who honoured him with their intimacy ; and it
was chiefly this that induced the monarch to set so high
a value on him. JH is first words, when he waked in the
morning, were regularly these : " Let Farinello be told
that I expect him this evening at the usual hour." To-
wards midnight Farinello appeared, and was never dis-
missed till break of day, when he betook himself to rest,
in the apartments assigned him in the palace, though he
had likewise a house in the city. To the king he never
sung more than two or three pieces ; and, what will seem
almost incredible, they were every evening the same.
Excepting when the king was to go to the holy sacrament
on the following day, Fariuello was never at liberty to get
a whole night's sleep.

Farinello had as great an affection for the king, as that
prince had for him ; and had nothing more at heart than
to cheer and enliven bis spirits : and indeed herein he had
the happy talent of succeeding to admiration, though him-
self was inclined to melancholy. Under Ferdinand, Philip's
successor, he had an ampler field for the display of his ge-
nius and skill. This monarch had a good ear for music,

BROSCHL. 6*

and knew how to judge properly of it; as he had studied
under Domenico Scarlatti, who had likewise been tutor to
queen Barbara, whose taste in music was exquisite. As
king Philip had given Farinello the charge of selecting re-
creations and amusements suitable to his calm and gentle
disposition, a variety of new institutions were set on foot
through his means at court. Operas were only used to be
performed on very solemn and extraordinary occasions ; the
nation at large was contented with comedies. They now
began to grow more common; and Farinello, though he
played no part in them, had the management of the whole.
He possessed all the qualities that were requisite for the
direction of an opera. For, with a perfect knowledge of
music, he had great skill in painting, and made drawings
with a peft. He was fruitful in inventions, particularly, of
such machines as represent thunder, lightning, rain, hail,
and tire like. The celebrated machinist Jacob Bonavera
formed himself under his direction. In regard to the mo-
rality of the theatre he- was very conscientious. Under
bis direction all went on at the king's expence ; and none
but persons in the service of the royal family, the ministers
from foreign potentates, the nobility, with the principal
officers of state, and a few others, by particular favour,
had admittance. In his country-house near Bologna are
to be seen, among other paintings, those from whence
Francis Battagliuoli copied the scenes in the operas Niteti,
Didone, and Armida.

Besides the choice and arrangement of the royal amuse-
ments, Farinello was employed in various other matters that
required a delicate taste. Queen Barbara having resolved
on an institution for the education of young ladies, our
singer was pitched upon not only to plan and direct the
erection of the convent, and the proper retirade for the
queen adjoining, but he gave orders for the making of the
furniture suitable to the structure ; and the church vessels,
which he caused to be executed with incredible alacrity,
at Naples, Bologna, and Milan. He himself made ado-
nation to this establishment of a picture, by the hand of the
celebrated MorigUo, of St. John de Dio, founder of the
brethren of mercy, carrying a sick man on his back. He
was likewise inspector of the music of the royal chapel ;
which he provided with the most noted spiritual composi-
tions, by which the chapel of his holiness at Rome is dis-
tinguished above all others.

10 B R O 8 C H I.

King Ferdinand had purposed all along to feWard "thfr
ingenuity and attachment of Farinello by splendid promo-
tions. He had already offered him several posts of honbftr,'
and at length pressed him to accept of a place in the royal
council of finance. But, on his refusing them all, the
king privately found means to get from Naples the attes-
tations of his nobility, that he might honour him with the
order of Calatrava. One day, holding up to him the cross
of the order, he said to him, " Let us se3 then whether
thou wilt persevere in refusing every thing fchdt comes
from our hand." Farinello fell on his knee 'before the
king, and begged him graciously to withhold this honour,
at least till he could have the proofs of the genuine no-
bility of his blood fie prove del sangue) transmitted him
from home. " I have already performed the pare of a sur-
geon," returned the king, " and have found that thy blood
is good ;" and then with his own hand fixed the cross upon
his breast. He afterwards received the order with all due
formality from the graud master, in the convent of the
ladies of Comthury of Calatrava, among the archives
whereof the originals of it are preserved.

The world were not a little surprised at the elevation of
Farinello. But to those who looked narrowly into his mo*
ral character it was no wonder at all ; and they rejoiced at
it. He had nothing in him of what are called the airs of a
courtier. He enjoyed the favour of the monarch more in
being serviceable to others, than in turning it to his own
emolument. When right and equity spoke in behalf of
any one, that person might be sure of his interest with the
king ; but, if the case was reversed, he was immoveable as
a rock. One of the great men applied to him once for his.
recommendation to be appointed viceroy of Peru, and
offered him a present of 400,000 piastres by way of in-,
ducement. Another sent him a casket filled with gold,,
desiring no other return than his friendship. He gene-
rously spurned at the proposals of both. General Monte-
mar had brought with him from Italy a great number of
musicians and other artists, who, on the disgrace of that
officer, were all left destitute of bread. Farinello took
them into his protection, and furnished them with the
means of gaining a livelihood. Among them was Jacob
Campana Bonavera, whom he placed as assistant to the
machinist Pa via, and afterwards promoted him to the in-
spectorship of the royal theatre. Theresa Castellini of

B R O S C H I.

Milan, the singer who had heen called by queen Barbara
to Madrid, and who at that time had a greater disposition
than qualification for the art, he took under his instruction,
and completed her for her employment. In the dreadful
distresses that ensued upon the earthquake at Lisbon,
when the vocal performers and dancers implored his as-
sistance, to the collection he made for them from the royal
family and his friends, he added two thousand doubloons
from his own private purse. Disposed as he was to be
liberal in bis bounty towards others, he found it no less
difficult to ask for any thing that had reference to himself.
It was not by his recommendation, but by his own deserts,
that his brother Riqcardo was promoted to the office of
commissary at war for the marine department. This Ric-
cardo died in 1756, in the flower of his age. He had been
master of the band in the service of the duke of Wurtem-
berg ; and a musical work printed at London is a proof of
his force and skill in composition.

He was also grateful and generous towards every one
that had shewn him any kindness*. Never was he heard
to speak ill of any man; and when he was injured, he
magnanimously overlooked it. There are even examples
of his heaping favours on some that shewed themselves
envious and malignant towards him. To a Spanish noble-
man who murmured that the king testified so much muni-
ficence to a castrato, he made no other return than by
procuring for his son a place he applied for in the army,
and delivering to him himself the king's order feu; his ap-
pointment. He was in general extremely circumspect not
to distinguish himself by any thing by which he might
excite the envy and jealousy of the nation against him.
Hence it was, that he constantly declined accepting the
comthury of the order of Calatrava, which the king had so

* He frequently sent his former in-
structress, Porpora, considerable pre-
sents in money to London, Vienna, and
Naples ; but on no account would be
have her near him, she was of so im-
prudent and loquacious a temper. On
the death of Antonio Beroacchi, he
had him buried wirh great funeral
pemp. The misfortunes of Crudeli,
the Florentine poet, who bad addressed
tome verses to him, he took very much
to heart ; yet it is by no means probable
that he had any share in the forcible
deliverance ef him from the dungeoas

of the inquisition; By his bounty Tie
supported the family of the painter
Amiconi, who died much too early fur
them that knew him ; and that of the
vocal musician Scarlatti, who had
fallen into poverty by indulging- in
play. Free from every spice of jea-
lousy, he furnished the singers Egi-
zielle, Raf, Atnadari, Garducci, Car-
lani, and others, with an opportunity
of shewing their talents in the presence
of the king, by whom, th.ey were richly
rewarded.

n

BROSCHI.

frequently offered him; beseeching him rather, to bestow
it on one of his deserving subjects. His generous way of
thinking was not unnoticed by the Spaniards. Every one
courted his friendship. The grandees of the kingdom, the
foreign and domestic ministers, vouchsafed him their visits,
and he was never wanting in due respect for their civilities*
Towards persons of inferior stations he was always conde-
scending and friendly*.

To put away all suspicion of self-interested views, he
made it a condition in the disbursements for the $qt$rtain«
ments of the king and queen, that all accounts should pass
through the hands of a treasurer appointed for that pur-
pose, which were always with the utmost exactitude en*
tered in a book. He was zealously devoted to the Roman
catholic religion. He kept his domestic chaplain at Lon-
don, as he had obtained a permission from Benedict XIV.
to have a portable altar during his residence there, and to
have mass celebrated at it in the. chapel in his house. To
this ecclesiastic he always gave precedence on all occa-
sions. Indeed, while in England, he ate flesh on Fridays
and . Saturdays ; but then he had a licence for it from
Jtome. Who would have thought that so brilliant a suc-
cess Would, be brought to an end in the course of a very
short period? King Ferdinand and queen Barbara were
both of them in the flower of their age ; both healthy and
strong. Yet death carried them off in a short space, one
after the other. The queen went first, 'and left Farineilo
ner collection of music and her harpsichords, as a token
of regard. The king, who loved her tenderly, fell into a
deep dejection of spirits. To get away from the doleful
pounds of the death-bells, be retired to the pleasure-house
of Villa Viciosa, where his excessive melancholy, after a
space of fourteen days, laid him on the bed of sickness.
Farineilo was called to him the day after his departure

* His taylor one day brought him
home a new suit of very rich clothes.
Farineilo was in the act.of paying him.
his bill, when he was suddenly stopped
by the man's telling him that he would
much rather he would grant him ano-
ther favour instead of it. " I come
backwards and forwards so often, said
be, to your excellency's bouse ; I have
90 frequently the honour to take your
orders and. try on your clothes j but I
have never had the happiness to hear
your heavenly strains, with the praise

whereof the whole court resounds. I
beseech you then not to take it amiss,

if I ask" He had finished no

more of bis speech, when Farineilo,
with a friendly smile, interrupted him
by taking a chair to the .harpsichord,
and beginning a song with the same,
energy aud execution as when he sang
before his majesty. This done, he or-
dered bis secretary to pay him double
the amount of his bill. By such me*
tbods be gained the love of all men,
both of high and low degree.

B R O S C H L

75

from Madrid, and never quitted him till he was no more.
He died the 10th of August, 1759, of a rapid decline, in
the 46th year of his age, after a sickness of eleven months
from the death of the queen.

The loss of such a friend, and the consequences of it,
were extremely distressing to Farinello. The king had
hardly closed his eyes, but the favourite's apartments were
as solitary as a desert. Friends and acquaintance, whom
he had loaded with benefits, now turned their backs upon
him, and a general revolution took place in his affairs.
Two days after the king's death he returned to Madrid*
and there remained till the arrival of king Charles from
Italy. He went as fac as Saragossa to meet him, to thank
him for the assurance he had given him of continuing his
appointment. The king received him very graciously,
and confirmed the promise be had already made him the
foregoing year, at the same time adding, that he was in-
duced to this by his moderation and discretion, and that
he was thoroughly convinced that he had never abused the
king's partiality for him. After a stay of three weeks at
Saragossa, he bent his course towards Italy, without re*
turning to Madrid, where he had commissioned a friend
to send his baggage after him. In Italy his first care, was
to wait upon don Philippo duke of Parma, and the king of
Naples, who gave him a very gracious reception^ The
joy which his old friends and patrons testified on his re-
tarn to Naples is not to be described. After remaining
here six months, he repaired to Naples by the way of Bo-
logna, where he passed the rest of his days in tranquillity*.

In the year 176$, when the emperor Joseph II. w^s
travelling through Bologna, though his stay was to be but
short in that place, one of the first questions he asked was,

* In the number of his most inti-
mate friends was the celebrated father
Martini, of the order of Minorites,
whose equal in respect to taste in vocal
performances rs not easily to be found.
The learned world is indebted to Fari-
nello for tbe appearance of his famous
** History of Music," Bernacchi, the
common friend of both, was informed
of his intension, and at the same time,
of bis irresolution, on account of the
numberless difficulties he had to sur-
mount in so great an undertaking. He
made Farinello, acquainted with all the
circumstances of the matter ; who im*

mediately told him, that he might give
father Martini to know, that queen Bar-
bara had graciously condescended to
accept of bii dedication of his " His*
tory of Music." The good man, who
had never once thought of hoping for
Fuch an encouragement, now deter,
mined not to disappoint the kind inten-
tions of his friend ; wrote a letter of
thanks to the queen, and applied him-
self to his History with Unremitted di-
ligence. He was the confessor, the
counsellor, and the firmest friend of
Farinello to the last moment of bU
life.

74 B R OS CHI.

where Farinello had taken up his abode ? and on being told
that he dwelt just without the city, he testified some dis-
pleasure ; and added, that a man who possessed so great
a force of genius, had never injured any one, but had
done all the good that lay in his power to mankind, was
worthy of every token of respect that could be paid him.
But the emperor on his return stopped longer at Bologna,
and Farinello had the honour of conversing with him often
for a length of time, and quite alone.

In the very lap of ease, rest was a stranger to Farinello' s
bosom. As some veteran mariner, long aecustomed to
great and perilous voyages, cannot endure the tediousness
of abiding in harbour, so it was with Farinello's active
mind. He feh the effects of that melancholy to which he
Was disposed by nature, growing on him from day to day;
and which was nourished and augmented by the continual
sight of the portraits of his distant and for the most part
deceased friends, with which his apartments were adorned:
His voice continued clear and melodious to the last. He
still sung frequently, and he alone perceived the depre-
dations of time, while his friends who heard him observed
ijo defect. During the three last weeks of his life, like
what is fabled of the dying swan, he sung almost every
day. He died the 16th of September, 1782, of a fever,
in the 78th year of bis age, without the least abatement of
his intellectual powers throughout his illness. He left no
wealth behind him ; as while he was in Spain he had always
lived up to his annual income, and what remained over to him
while in Italy, he shared among his relations and friends
and the necessitous, during his life-time. His land, his
pleasure-house at Bologna, and all the rest of his property,
among which were several harpsichords of great value, and
the music he had inherited from the queen, he left to his
eldest sister, who was married to Giovanni Domenica
Bisani, a Neapolitan. His corpse was interred in the
church of the Capuchins, which stands on a hill before
Bologna. He was of a very large stature, strong built, of
a fair complexion, and a lively aspect. His picture,
which is to be seen among the portraits and works of the
famous vocal artists collected by father Martini, in the
library of the minorites at Bologna, is a perfect likeness.1 ,

\ Dr. Burney's Travels, and Hist* of Music— Hawkins's Hilt, of Music,

BROSSARD. 75

BROS SARD (Sebastian de), an eminent French
musician, born in 1660, in the former part of his life
had been prebendary and chapel -master of the cathedral
church of Strasburgh, but. afterwards became grand
chaplain and cbapel-master in the cathedral of Meaux.
He published a work entitled " Prodromus Musicalis,
ou elevations et motets a voix seule, avec une Basse
continue," 2 vols. fol. the second edition in 1702;
but his most useful book was his " Dictionnaire de Mu-
sique," Amst. 1702; fol. at the end -of which is a catalogue
of authors, ancient and modern, to the amount of nine-
hundred, who have written on music, divided into classes^
with many curious observations relating to the history of
music, which have been of great service to musical writers*
and historians. Grassineau's Dictionary, published in P.740,'
is not much more than a translation of Brossard's work ;
it was also of great service to Rousseau, whose eloquence
has certainly furnished us with a more pleasant book, yet*
Rousseau is acknowledged to be most correct where he
most closely copies Brossard. Brossard died in 1730. • He*
had a numerous library of music, which he presented to'
Louis XIV. who gave himself a pension of 1200 livres, andt
the same sum to his niece.1

. BROSSE (Guy de la), physician in ordinary to Louis
XIII. obtained from that king, in 1626, letters patent for
the establishment of the royal garden of medicinal plants,
of which be was the first director. He immediately set
about preparing the ground, and then furnished it with
upwards of 2000 plants. The list of them may be seen in
his" Description du jardin royale," 1636, 4to. Richelieu,
Seguier, and Bullion, contributed afterwards to enrich it.
He composed a treatise on the virtues of plants, 1628, 8vo,
and before this, in 1623, one on the plague. He died in
1641. ■

BROSSES (Charles de), a French writer of great
learning, was born at Dijon, in \1Q9, and became a coun-
sellor of parliament, in 1730, and president i mortier in
1742. During the leisure which his public employments
afforded, he cultivated most of the sciences, and was al-
lowed to be well acquainted with all. Voltaire only has
attacked his literary reputation, and this his countrymen
ascribe to the malice which that writer was seldom anxious
to conceal. Buffon, on the contrary, regarded him as a '

(

1 More ri. — Hawkins's Hist, of Music. — Diet. Hist.
• Moreri.— Haller BiW. But— Diet Hist

1* B R O S S £ S.

scholar of the first rank, an acute philosopher, and an ori-
ginal and valuable writer; nor was he less estimable in
private life. In 1774 he was appointed president of the
parliament of Burgundy, but died soon after, at Paris, in
1777, whither he had come to visit his married daughter*
He was a member of the academy of Dijon, of the inscrip-
tions and belles lettres, and other learned societies. He
wrote : 1. " Lettres sur la Decouverte de la ville d'Hercu-
laneum," 1750, 8vo. 2. " Histoire des Navigations aux
Terres Australes," 175*5, 2 vols. 4to, in which he endea-
voured to prove the existence of a southern continent,
which subsequent navigators have disproved. 3. *' Du
culte des dieux Fetiches, ou parallele de 1'ancienne ido-
latrie avec celle des peuples de Nigritie," 1760, 12mo,
a piece which has been improperly attributed to Voltaire.
4. " Traite de la formation mecanique des Langues,"
1765, 2 vols. 12 mo, in which he attempts a general ety-
mological system founded on the mechanical formation of
articulate sounds ; but his countrymen allow that he leans
too much to paradox, which certainly has long been an
extensive branch of French philosophy. 5. " Histoire de
la Republique Romaine dans la coursduVII siecle, par
Salluste," Dijon, 3 vols. 4to. This may be accounted his
principal work, and was long his principal employment.
He was so sensible of the loss of Sallust's principal work,
that be resolved to collect his fragments with greater care
than had ever been employed before ; and by the mosi
accurate arrangement to trace out as near as possible the
pl$u and chief features of that work, and then to connect
these fragments in the manner of Freinshemius in his
" Fragmenta Livii." But as De Brosses soon became
sensible of the difficulty of assimilating his Latin 'diction
tp that of Sallust, he changed his first design, and resolved
on translating both the fragments and his author's histories
of the Catilinarian and Jugurthine wars into French, and
to attempt to supply the lost work from other ancient
writers. The first volume opens with a preface containing
remarks on the various methods of writing history, and
some information concerning Roman names, ranks, magis-
tracies, and elections. The body of the work itself begins
with a translation of, and commentary on, Sallust's Jugur-
thine war. The -notes subjoined to this part treat chiefly
of the geography and population of Africa, and the text is
illustrated by a map of Africa, a plan of MetelWs march

B R O 8 8 E S. 77

against Jugurtha, and its illustration by a military con-
noisseur. After this follows the restoration of Sallust's fivg
books, continued in vol. II. comprizing the war with Mi-
thridates : a description of the Pontus Euxinus, with the
adjacent countries ; the Gladiatorian war, raised by Spar-*
tacus, and the war of Creta. The third volume contains a
translation of the Catilinarian war, with its sequel, illus-
trated with historical and political notes ; Sallust's two let-
ters to Caesar^ commonly styled " Orat. de Rep. ordinan-
ce," which De Brosses considers a? genuine ; a very mi-
nute collection of all the notices of Sallust's life, writings,
gardens, buildings, and even of the. remains discovered in
Jater times. The whole concludes with the abbfe Cas-
sagne's " Essay on the Art of composing History, and on
the works of^Sallusc" Industrious as M. de Brosses has
been in this work*, we believe that in the life of Sallust, at
least, he has been improved upon by Henry Stuart, esq.
in bis late elaborate publication, " The works of Sallust,9'
1806, 2 vols. 4to. Besides these, De Brosses contributed
many learned papers to the Paris and Dijon memoirs, but
bis family disown 3 vols, of " Lettres historiques et cri-
tiques sur l'ltalie," published in 1799* in his name. 1

BROSSETTE (Claude), of France, was born at Lyons
in 1671* He was at 6rst a Jesuit, but afterwards an ad-
vocate, a member of the academy of Lyons, and librarian
of the public library there. In 1716, he published the
works of Boileau, in 2 vol?. 4to, with historical illustra-
tions-: and, after that, the works of Regnier. He re-
formed the text of both these authors from the errors of
the preceding editions, and seasoned his notes with many
useful and curious anecdotes of men and things. His only
fault, the fault of almost all commentators, is, that he did
not use the collections he had made with sufficient sobriety
and judgment; and has inserted many things, no ways ne-
cessary to illustrate ins authors, and some that are even
frivolous. He wrote also " L'Histoire abr£g£e de.la ville
de Lyon,'9 with elegance and precision, 1711, 4to; and
died there in 1746. He had a friendship and correspond-
ence with many of the literati, and particularly with
Rousseau the poet, and Voltaire. The latter used to tell
him, that he " resembled Attic us, who kept terms, and
^ven cultivated friendship, at the .same time with Caesar

* DkL HisL Elogc in Hist. Acfli. Re;. Park. vol. XUL

78 B-ROSSfiTTE.

and Pompey.".' The enmity between Rousseau and Voir-
taire is well known. l

. BROTIER (Gabriel), an eminent classical scholar and
editor, was born at Tanay, a small village of the Niver-
nois, i(i 1722, and died at Paris, Feb. 12, 1789, at the
age of '67. In his youth he made it his practice to write
notes in every book that he read ; and the margins of seve-
ral in his library were entirely filled with them. Until his
l$st moment he pursued the same method of study. All
tbeee, he arranged wonderfully in his memory; and if it
had been possible after his death to have put his papers in
that order which he alone knew, they would have furnished
materials for several curious volumes. With this method,
and continued labour for twelve hours a day, the abb£
Brotier acquired an immense stock of various knowledge.
Except the mathematics, to which it appears he gave little
application, he was acquainted with every thing ; natural
history, chemistry, and even medicine. It was his rule
to read Hippocrates and Solomon once every year in their
original languages. These \he said were the best books
fpr curing the diseases of the body and the mind. But the
belles- lettres were his grand pursuit. He had a good
knowledge of all the dead languages, but particularly the
Latin, of which he was perfectly master: he was besides
acquainted with most of the languages of Europe. This
knowledge, however extensive, was not the only part in
which he excelled. He was well versed in ancient and
modern history, in chronology, coins, medals, inscriptions,
and the customs of ami qui ty, which had always been ob-
jects of his study. He had collected a considerable quan-
tity of materials for writing a new history of France, and
it is much to be regretted that he was prevented from un-
dertaking that work. The akbe' Brotier recalls to our re-
membrance those laborious writers, distinguished for their
learning, Petau, Sirmond, Labbe, Cossart, Hardouin, Sou-
ciet, &c. wjio have done so much honour to the college
of Louis XIV. in which he himself was educated, and where
he lived several years as librarian ; and his countrymen
say he is the last link of that chain of illustrious men, who
have succeeded one another without interruption, for near
two centuries, On the dissolution of the order of Jesuits,
the abb£ Brotier found an asylum equally peaceful and

» M*r^U~D;ct. Hift

BROTIER. 19

agreeable in the house of Mr. de la Tour, a printer, emi-
nent in his business) who has gained from ail connoisseur*
a just tribute of praise for those works which have come
from his press. It was in this friendly retirement that th*
abbe Brotier spent the last twenty-six years of his life, and
that he experienced a happiuess, the value of which he
knew how to appreciate, which arose from the care, atten-
tion, and testimonies of respect, bestowed upon him both
by Mr. and Mrs. de la Tour. It was there also that h*
published those works which will render his name immor-
tal ; an edition of Tacitus, enriched not only with notes
and learned dissertations, but also with supplements, which
sometimes leave the reader in a doubt, whether the mo*
dern writer is not a successful rival of the ancient: this
was first published in 1771, 4 vols. 4 to, and reprinted in,
1776, in 7 vols. 8vo. He published also in 1779, 6 vols.
12 mo, an edition of Pliny the naturalist, which is only a
short abridgment of what he had prepared to correct and
enlarge the edition of Hardouin, and to give an historical
§eries, of all the new discoveries made since the beginning
of this century; an immense labour, which bespeaks the
most extensive erudition. To these two editions, which
procured the abbe Brotier the applauses of all the literati
in Europe, he added in 1778, 8vo, an edition of Rapin on
gardens, at the end of which he has subjoined a history of
gardens, written in Latin with admirable elegance, and
abounding in the most delightful imagery : for the abb6
was not one of those pedants, according to the expression
of the poet, " heriss^s de Grec & de Latin j" he pos-
sessed a lively imagination, and a fine taste, with clearness
and perspicuity ; and above all, a sound judgment, which
never suffered him to adopt in writing any thing that
was not solid, beautiful, and true. His other works are,
I. " Examen de l'Apologie de M. I'Abbe* de Prades," 1753,
8vo. 2. " Conclusiones ex universa Theologia," 1754,
4to. 3. " Traite des Monnoies Romaines, Grecques, et
Hebr. comparers avec les Monnoies de France, pour 1' in-
telligence de TEcriture Sainte, et de tous les auteurs Grec*
et Roinains," 1760, 4to. 4. " Prospectus d'une edit. Lat.
de Tacite," 17G1, 5 vols. 4to. 5. " Supplementa, lib. 7.
10 Anpal. Taciti," 1755, 8yo. 6. " CI. viri de la CaiU*
vita," 1763, 4to. 7. " Phajdri Fabularum, lib. v< cum
jiotis et suppl. .access. Parallel a J. de la Fontaine Fabulae,"
1785, 12mo. 8. "Memoire du Levaut," 1780, and ane.dU

30 B R O T I E K.

tion of " Brumoy's Theatre," 1785, 13 vols. 8vo. In 1790
his nephew published his " Parolles Memorabies," a work
x>{ which Mr. Seward has made great use in his " Anec-
dotes."

We shall conclude this account of the amiable abbe with
his character as drawn by his friend the abb6 de Fontenay.
" That intimate and sincere friendship," says he, u which
united me to the abbe Brotier, gratitude for the services
which he did me, his talents and his virtues, will always
endear his memory tome; and I may justly say, that his
death, though lamented -by many good men, was lamented
by none more deeply than by me." However great may
have been the merit of this learned man, not less conspi-
cuously eminent for the qualities of his heart than for those
of his head, one must have been intimate with him to form
a just and true idea of his character. As often as my avo-
cations would permit, I indulged tayself in the pleasure of
his company, and many delightful hours I have spent with
him. Humble and unassuming, modest, and even to a
degree of timidity that caused him to blush when the least
encomium was passed upon him ; good-tempered, plain in
his manner, and giving himself up to society with the
smiles and simplicity of a child, his conversation was en*
gaging, aud always instructive when it turned upon sub-
jects of literature or science. Widely differing in this
respect from those men of letters who are misers, if we
may say so, of their knowledge, and who seem to hoard it
only for themselves, or to make an ostentatious display of
it in some publication, the abbe* Brotier readily replied to
the questions of those who sought information from him,
and instructed those around him with the utmost affability'
and condescension. I confess," continues the abbe* Fon-
tenay, '< that need of consulting him induced me often to
visit him ; and I can declare that whatever questions I put
to him, I never found him in one instance wrong. He
either satisfied me immediately respecting my queries, or
pointed out those books in which I found what I wanted to
know. He left a nephew of the same name, who is in the
church. He is pursuing his yncle's steps in the same de-
partments of erudition, and has already published works
which sufficiently evince the progress he has made." '

» Diet. Hut.— SaxU Oiwontt vol. VIIL

BROOGHTO-N. 81

BROUGHTON (Hugh), a divine of great eminence for
his extensive knowledge in Hebrew and rabbinical learning,
was descended from an ancient family, and born in 1549,
at Oldbury, in the county of Salop. Dr. Ligbtfoot says,
that it is uncertain in what school he was instructed > in
grammar, but, according to the writers of the life of Ber-
nard Gilpin, he was brought up in the school founded by
that excellent man at Houghton, and by him sent to Cam-
bridge. Gilpin is said to have become acquainted with him
by accident, when he was a poor boy travelling on the Ox*
ford road, and finding him a good scholar, took the charge
of bis farther education. The biographer of Gilpin adds,
apparently upon slender foundation, that Broughton acted
with ingratitude to Gilpin, when the latter was old and
infirm^ and persuaded the bishop of Durham to give him a
living intended for Gilpin.

Ac Cambridge, Broughton became one of the fellowa of
Christ's college, and there laid the first foundation of his
Hebrew studies, under a Frenchman, who read upon that
tongue in the university. His parts and learning soon
rendered him very conspicuous at Cambridge, and also
attracted the notice of the earl of Huntingdon, who be*
came a liberal patron to him, and greatly encouraged him
in his studies. From the university he repaired to London,
where he distinguished himself, as a preacher, and in-
creased the number, of his friends, some of whom were of
high rank. He still, however, continued to prosecute his
studies with the most unremitting assiduity ; so that he is
said frequently tp have spent sixteen hours out of the four-
and -twenty at iiis books *. ;

In 1588, he published a piece, entitled " The Consent *
of Scriptures/' This was a work in which he was em-
ployed several years; and which, therefore, he used to
call his " little book of great pains." It is a kind of scrip-
ture chronology, and scripture genealogies, and appears
to have been compiled with great labour. It was dedicated
to queen Elizabeth, to whom it was presented by himself,
on her inauguration day, Nov. 17, 1589 f. He appears

* The author of his life in the Biog. there is not some reason to suspect that

Brit takes no notice of his having been Hutchinson's Broughton was1 a different

collated to a prebend of Durham, Nov. person.

*J» 1578, and to Washington rectory, f Query. Was this the copy on vel-

May 6, 1580, when he resigned his lum mentioned by Mr. Dibdin in his

prebend. Hutchinson's Durham, vol* Bibliomania, and once in Mr. Tutet's

u. p. 209. But we know not whether possession }

Vol. VII. G

v

I

It

BROUGHTON.

to have had some assistance in it from Speed, who over-
looked the press, and compiled those genealogies1 which
are prefixed to the old Bibles ; but Broughtqn certainly
directed and digested them. Speed is said to have owed
many obligations to Brougbton, and had a vast number of his
manuscripts, which, for whatever reason* • he burnt But,
to return to the " Consent of Scripture ;" it excited much
attention at its first publication, but was strongly opposed
by Dr. Reynolds at Oxford. This gave great offence to
Mr. Broughton, who had a very earnest and absurd desire
to have the dispute between him and Dr. Reynolds, con-
cerning the scripture chronology, settled by public au-
thority. He addressed on this subject queen Elizabeth,
Dr. Whitgift, archbishop of Canterbury, and Dr. Aylmer,
bishop of London. His work was opposed, not only at
Oxford, but at Cambridge, where Mr. Lively, a professor,
read publicly against it. He was, therefore, induced to
read lectures in defence of his performance, which he did
first in St. PauPs, at the east end of the church, and after-
wards in a large room in Cheapside, and in Mara>lane*.

He continued several years in London,* where he pro-
cured many friends. One of these was Mr. William
Cotton, whose son Rowland, who was afterwards knighted,
he instructed in the Hebrew tongue* In 1589 Mr. Brough-
ton went over into Germany, accompanied by Mr. Alex-
ander Top, a young gentleman who had put himself
under his care, and travelled with him, that he might
continually receive the benefit of his instructions. He was
some time at Frankfort, where he had a long* dispute in
the Jewish synagogue, with rabbi Elias, on the truth of
the Christian religion. He appears to have been very so-
licitous for the conversion of the Jews, and his taste for

* " This was his course of teaching
in private. His auditors had every
ene of them the Consent before him,
and he went on still in exposition of it
along with the Bible, and bad his au-
ditors diligently read the Scriptures,
and keep them to the chronology of it :
and shewed what, and how much they
should read against their next meeting,
to be prepared for his discourse then,
.and withal handled the Genealogies, as
the matter of those scriptures called
for explication for that time of the.
chronology; that they should under-
stand what scriptures were contained

within such a space of time. And still
he shewed the doctrine of faith and
love in Christ Jesus in every age, how
believed and practised by the faithful,
and who despised. And, in applica-
tion, he would sum up all in a quarter
of an hour, or more, as the matter re-
quired. Of these his lectures there
are yet extant the notes of four-and-
thirty, and the notes of nine of his
sermons, in which he collated the sec-
tions of Moses, and the Prophets, wit a
the New Testament : all taken from his
mouth, when he delivered them."1'—
Lightfeot's preface to his works.

B R O U G H t O N. **

.rabbinical aad Hebrew studies naturpdly led him to take
pleasure in the conversation, of those learned Jews whom he
occasionally met with. In. the course of his travels, he
had also disputes with the papists ; but in his contests both
with them and with the Jews, be was not very attentive to
the rules either of prudence or politeness. It appears,
that in 1590 he was at Worms ; but in what other places ia
not mentioned. In 1591 be returned again to England,
and met at London with his antagonist Or. Reynolds ; and
they referred the decision of the controversy between
them, occasioned by his " Consent of Scripture," to Dr,
Whitgift, archbishop of Canterbury, and Dr. Aylnjer,
bishop of London. Another piece which he published*
entitled " An Explication of the article of Christ's Descent
.to Hell/' was a source of much controversy, though his
opinion on this subject is now generally received. Two
of his opponents in this controversy were archbishop Whit*
gift and bishop Bilson. He addressed on this subject
" An Oration to the Geneveans," which was. first published
in Greek, at Mentz, by Albinus. In this piece be treats
the celebrated Beza with much severity. In 1592 he was
in Germany again, and published a piece called " The
Sinai Sight," which he dedicated to the earl of Essex, and
had the odd whim of having it engraved on brass, at a con-
siderable expence. About the year 1596, rabbi Abraham
Reuben wrote an epistle from Constantinople to Mr.
Broughton, which was directed to him in London ; but
he was then in Germany. He appears to have continued
abroad till the death of queen Elizabeth; and during his
residence in foreign countries, cultivated an acquaintance
with Scaliger, Raphelengius, Junius, Pi?torius, Serrarius,
and other eminent and learned men. He was treated with
particular favour by the archbishop of Mentz, to whom he
dedicated his translation of the Prophets into Greek. He
was also offered a cardinal's hat, if he would have em-
braced the Romish religion. But that offer he refused to
accept, and returned again to England, soon after the ac-
cession of king James I. In 1603 he preached before
prince Henry, at Oatlands, upon the. Lord's Prayer. In
1607 the new translation of the Bible was begun ; and Mr.
Jfroughton's friends expressed much surprize that he was
not employed in that work. It might probably be disgust
on this account,. which again occasioned him to go abroad;
and during his stay there, he was for some time preacher

Q 2

S4 BROUGHTON;

to the English at Middleburgh. But finding his health
decline, having a consumptive disorder, which he found
to increase, he returned again to England in November,
1611. He lodged in London, during the winter, at a
friend's house in Cannon-street ; but in the spring he was
removed, for the benefit of the air, to the house of another
friend, at Tottenhaih High-cross, where he died of a pul-
monary consumption on the 4th of August, 1612, irt the
sixty-third year of his age. During his illness he made
such 'occasional discourses and exhortations' to his friends,
as his strength would enable him; and he appears to have
had many friends and admirers even to the last. His
corpse was brought to London, attended by great- numbers
of people, many of whom had put themselves in mourning1
for him ; and interred in St. Anthbtin's church, where his*
funeral sermon was preached by the rev. James Speght,
B. D. afterwards D. D. minister of the church in Milk-
street, London. Lightfoot mentions it as a report, that
the bishops would not suffer this sermOn to bis published ;
but it was afterwards printed at the end of his works,

His person was comely and graceful; and his counte-
nance expressive of studiousness and gravity. His indefa-
tigable attention to his studies, gave 'htm' an air of austerity;
and, at times, there appears to have been no inconsi-
derable degree of moroseness in his deportment u. notwith-
standing which, he is represented as behaving in' a very
kind and affable manner t6 his friends, and asb&ngvery
pleasant in conversation with them, especially at his meals;
He would also be free and communicative to any persons
who desired to learn of him, but very angry with scholars^
if they did not readily comprehend his meaning. Oped
impiety and profaneness were always opposed by him with
great zeal and courage. He was much dissatisfied, as
appears fronrseveral passages in his works, that his great
learning had not procured him more encouragement, and
he evidently thought that he had a just claim to some
considerable preferment. He was unquestionably a man*
of very uncommon erudition, but extremely deficient in
taste and judgment. He was also of a testy and choleric
temper, had a high opinion of his own learning and abi-
lities, was extremely dogmatical, and treated those who
differed from him in opinion with much rudeness and scur-
rility ; though some allowance must be made for the age in
which he lived, in which that mode of writing was much

BR OUGHTOR U

more common among divines and scholars than it is at pre-
sent. From the general tenor of his life and of his works,
and the opinion formed of him by those who were the best
acquainted with him, it seems equitable to conclude, that,
with all his failings, he meant well; nor do we apprehend
that there is any sufficient ground for the extreme severity
with which the late Mr. Gilpin has treated him in his " Life
of Bernard Gilpin.'* He translated the Prophetical wri-
tings into Greek, and the Apocalypse into Hebrew. He
was desirous of translating the whole New Testament
into Hebrew, which, he thought would have contributed
much to the conversion of the Jews, if he had met with
proper encouragement, And he relates, that a learned
Jew with whom he conversed, once said to him, " O that
you would set over all your New Testament into such He-
brew as you speak to me, you should turn all our nation/'
Most of his works were collected together, and printed at
London in 1662, under the following title: " The Works
of the great Albionean divine, renowned in many nations
for rare skill in Salems and Athens tongues, and familiar
•acquaintance with all Rabbinical learning, Mr. Hugh
•Brrfughton." This edition of his works, though bound in
one large volume, folk), is divided into four tomes. Dr.
Lightfoot, who was himself a- great master of Hebrew
and - rabbinical .learning, says* that in the writings of
Brougbton, " the serious and impartial student of them
will find these two things. First, as much light given in
scripture, especially in the difficultest things thereof, as is
to be found in any oue author whatsoever ; nay, it may be,
in all authors together. And, secondly, a winning and
enticing enforcement to read the scriptures with a serious-
ness ami searching more than ordinary. Amongst those
that have studied his books, multitudes might be named
that have thereby grown proficients so far, as that they
have attained to a most singular, and almost incredible
-skill and readiness, in his. way, in the .understanding of
the Bible, though otherwise unlearned men. Nay, some
such, that, by the mere excitation of his books, have set
£o the study of the Hebrew tongue, and come to a very
great measure of knowledge in it ; nay, a woman might be
named that hath done it. This author's writings do carry
with them, I know not what, a kind of holy and happy
fascination, that the serious reader of them is won upon,
by a sweet violence! to look in the scripture with all

86 broughton;

possible scrutraoasness, and cannot choose. Let any one
but set to read him in good earnest, and, if be find not,
that he sees much more in scripture than ever he could
see before, and that he is stirred up to search much more
narrowly into the scripture than ever he was before, he
misseth of that which was never missed of before by any
that took that course, if multitude of experiences may
have any credit.*' It will justly be thought in the present
age, that Dr. Lightfoot formed too high an opinion of the
value of Broughtoa's writings; but in whatever estimation
they may now be held, the celebrity of Broughton in his
own time, and his extraordinary learning, gave him a rea-
sonable claim to some memorial in a work of this kind.
Many of his theological MSS. are preserved in the British
Museum, of which a list is given in Ayscough's catalogue. l

BRQUGHTON (Richard), a popish ecclesiastical his-
torian, was born at Great Stukely in Huntingdonshire, and
studied for some time at Oxford, but it does not appear
that he entered any college, and only seems to have re-
sided there for the purpose of consulting the public library.
He received his regular education at the English college
at Rheims, and took priest's orders in 1593. He was after-
wards sent into England as a missionary, and promoted the
popish interest as far as lay In his power, without giving
public offence. < He died in 1634, and was buried in the
church of Great Stukely. His principal works were, " An
Ecclesiastical History of Great Britain ; from the Nativity
to the conversion of the Saxons," Doway, 1633, fol. re-
plete with legendary matter ; " A True Memorial .of the
ancient, most holy, and religious state of Great Britain,
&c. in the time of the Britons, and primitive church of.
the Saxons," 1650, 8vo; and, " Monastioon Britannicum,"
1655, 8vo.*

BROUGHTON (Thomas), a learned divine, and one
of the original writers of the Biographia Britannica, was
"born at London, July J, 1704, in the parish of St. An-
drew, Holborn ; of which parish his father was minister.
At an early age he was sent to Eton-school, where he soon
distinguished himself by the acuteness of his genius and
the studiousness of his disposition. Being superannu-
ated joii this foundation, be removed, about 1722, to the

l Biqg. Brit— Strype*i Whitgift, p. 81, 382/ 431, 481, 499, 516, 526, 589,
?fcere there are many curious particulars illustrative of Broughton's history*
• Alfa. Ox. vol. 1.— Dodd'9 €h. Hist, vol IIL— Fuller's WerUtiet.

B » O U G HT O N. S7

university of Cambridge ; and, for the sake of a scholar*
ship, entered himself of Gonville and Caius college. Here
two of the principal objects of hi* attention were, the ac-
quisition , of the knowledge of the modern languages, and
the study of the mathematics, under the famous professor
Sanderson. May 28, 1727, Mr. Broughton, after taking
the degree of B. A. was admitted to deacon's orders. . In
the succeeding year, Sept.. 22, he was ordained priest, and
proceeded to the degree of M. A. At this tiiqe he re*
moved from the university to the curacy of Offley in Hert-
fordshire. In 1739, he was instituted to the rectory of Ste-
pington, otherwise Slibington, in the county of Huntingdon,
on the presentation of John duke of Bedford, and was ap-
pointed one of that nobleman's chaplains. Soon after, he was
chosen reader to the Temple, by which means he became
known, to bishop Sherlock, then master of it, who con-
ceived so high an opinion of our author's merit, that, in 1 744,
this eminent prelate presented Mr. Broughton to the valu-
able vicarage of Bedminster, near Bristol, together with
the chapels of St. Mary Redcliff, St. Thomas, and Abbot's
Leigh, annexed. Some short time after, he was collated,
by the same patron, to the prebend of Bedminster and
Redcliff, in the cathedral of Salisbury. Upon receiving
this preferment, he removed from London to Bristol, where
he married the daughter of Thomas Harris, clerk of that
city, by whom he had seven children, six of whom sur-
vived him. He resided on his living till his death, which
happened Dec. 21, 1774, in the 71st year of his age. He
was interred in the church of St. Mary Redcliff.

From the time of Mr. Broughton's quitting the univer-
sity, till he was considerably advanced in life, he was en-
gaged in a variety of publications ; and some little time
before his death, composed " A short view of the principles
Upon which Christian churches require, of their respective
. clergy, Subscription to established Articles of Religion ;"
but this work never appeared in print* He possessed,
likewise, no ineousiderable talent for poetry, as is evident
from many little fugitive pieces in manuscript, found
among his papers ; and particularly, from two unfinished
tragedies, both written at the age of seventeen. During
his residence in London, he enjoyed the esteem and friend-
ship of most of the literary men of his time. He was a
great lover of music, particularly the ancient ; which in-
troduced him to the knowledge and acquaintance of Mr.

*8 BROUGHTON.

Handel/ whom he fumisbed with the words for many of
his compositions. In his public character, Mr. Brougbton
was distinguished by an active zeal for the Christian cause,
joined with moderation. In private life, be was devoted
to the interests and happiness of bis family ; and was of »
mild, cheerful, and liberal temper. This disposition, which
is not always united with eminent literary abilities, at-
tended him to his grave. In 1778, a posthumous volume
of sermons, on select subjects; was published by his son,
the rev. Thomas Broughton, M. A. of Wadbam college,
Oxford, and vicar of Tiverton, near Bath. «

The following is a list of his publications, but we have
not .been able to recover the dates of all of them :
1. *' Christianity distinct from the Religion of Nature, in
three parts ; in answer to Christianity as old as the Crea-
tion." 2: u Translation of Voltaire's Tepnple of Taste."

3. "Preface to his father's letter to a Roman catholic."

4. " Alteration of Dorrel on the Epistles and Gospels from
a Popish to a Protestant book," 2 vols. 8vo. 5. Part of
the new edition* of Bayle's Dictionary in English, cor-
rected: with a translation of the Latin and other quota-
tions; 6. " Jarvis's Don Quixote ;" the language tho-
roughly altered and corrected, and the poetical pajts new
translated. 7. " Translation of the mottoes of the Spec-
tator, Guardian, and Freeholder." 8. " Original poems
and translations, by John Dry den, esq" now first collected
and published together, 2 vols. 9. " Translation of the
quotations in Addison's Travels, by him left untranslated."
10. " The first and third Olynthiacs, and the four Philip-
pics of Demosthenes" {by several hands), revised and cor-
rected ; with a new translation of the second Olynthiac,
the * oration de Pace, and that de Chersoneso : to which
are added, all the arguments of Libanius, and select notes
from Ulpian, 8vo. Lives in the ; Biographia Britannica,
marked T. .11." The bishops of London and Winchester
on the sacrament, compared." 12. " Hercules,". a musi-
cal drama. 13. " Bibliotheca historico-sacra, an Histori-
cal dictionary of all religions, from the creation of the
world to the present times," 1756, 2 vols, folio. .14. " A
defence of the commonly-received doctrine of the Human
Soul." 15. "A prospect of Futurity, in four dissertations;
with a preliminary discourse on the natural and moral eYV»
dence of a future state." l . .

» Bio$. Brit vol. II. Preface,

BROUNCKER. 89

BROUKflUSIUS. See BBXTEKHUSIUS.

BROUNCKER (William), viscount Brouncker, of .Cas-
tle Lyons in Ireland, son of sir William Brouncker, after-
wards made viscount in 1645, was born about 1620; and,
having received an excellent education, discovered an
early genius for mathematics, in which he afterwards be-
came, very eminent. He was created M. D. at Oxford,
June 23, 1646. In 1657 and 165,8, he was engaged in a
correspondence, on mathematical subjects with Dr. John
Wallis, who published the letters in his " Commercium
Epistolicum," Oxford, 1658, 4 to. He, with others of the
nobility and gentry who had adhered to king Charles I. in .
and about London, signed the remarkable declaration pub-
lished in April 1660. After the restoration, he was made
chancellor to the queen consort, and a commissioner of the
navy. He was one of those great men who first formed
the royal society, and, by the charter of July 15, 1662,
and that of April 22, 1663, was appointed the first
president of it : which office he held with great advantage
to the society, and honour to himself, till the anniversary
election, Nov. 30, 1677. Besides the offices mentioned
already, he was master of St. Katherine's near the Tower
of London ; his right to which post, after a long contest
between him and sir Robert Atkyns, one of the judges,
was determined in his favour, Nov. 1681. He died at his
house in St. James's street, Westminster, April 5, 1684;
and was succeeded in his honours by his younger brother
Harry, who died Jan. 1687. Of his works, notwithstand-
ing his activity in promoting literature and science, there
are few extant These are : u Experiments on the re-
coiling of Guns,1' published in Dr. Sprat's History of the
Royal Society ; " An algebraical paper upon the squaring
of the Hyperbola," published in the Philosophical Trans-
actions. (See Lowthorp's Abr. vol. I. p. 10, &c.) ; " Se-
veral Letters to Dr. James Usher, archbishop of Armagh/'
annexed to that primate's life by Dr. Parr ; and " A trans-
ition of the Treatise of Des Cartes, entitled Musicte
Compendium," published without his name, but enriched
with a variety of observations, which shew that he was
deeply skilled in the theory of the science of music. Al-
though he agrees with his author almost throughout the
book, he asserts that the geometrical is to be preferred to
the arithmetical division ; and with a view, as it is pre-
sumed, to the farther improvement of the " Systema Par-

30 BROUNCKER.

ticipato," be proposes a division of the diapason by sixteen
mean proportionals into seventeen equal semitones; the
method of which division is exhibited by him in an alge-
braic process, acid also in logarithms. The " Systems
Participator' which is Mentioned by Bontempi, consisted
in the division of the diapason, or octave, into twelve equal
semitones, by eleven mean proportionals. Descartes, we
are informed, rejected this division for reasons which are
far from being satisfactory. Mr. Park, in' his edition of
lord Orford's " Royal aiid Noble Authors," to which we
are frequently indebted, points out an original commission,
among the Sloanian MSS. from Charles II. dated White-
hall, Dec. 15, 1674, appointing lord Brouncker and others
to inquire into, and to report their opinions of a method of
finding the longitude, devised by Sieur de St. Pierre. *

BROUSSON (CiAUDi), a French Protestant and
martyr, was born at Nismes, in 1647, He was an id vo-
<sate, and distinguished by his pleadings at Castres and
Toulouse ; and it was at his house that the deputies of the
Protestant churches assembled in 1663 : where they took
a resolution to continue to assemble, although their churches
were demolished. The execution of this project occa-
sioned violent conflicts, seditions, executions, and mas-
aacres, which ended at length in an amnesty on the part of
Lewis XIV. Brousson retired then to Nismes; but, fearing
to be apprehended with the principal authors of this pro-
ject, who do not seem to have been comprised within the
amnesty, he became a refugee at Geneva first, and thence
at Lausanne. He shifted afterwards from town to town,
and kingdom to kingdom, to solicit the compassion of
Protestant princes towards his suffering brethren in France;*
Returning to his own country, he travelled through se-
veral provinces, exercised some time the ministry in the
Cevennes, appeared at Orange, and passed to Berne, in
order to escape his pursuers. He was at length taken at
Oleron, in 1698, and removed to Montpellier ; where,
being convicted of having formerly held secret corre-
spondence with the enemies of the state, and of having
preached in defiance of the edicts, he was broke upon the
wheel the same year. He was a man of great eloquence
as well as zeal, greatly esteemed among strangers, and
•regarded as a martyr by those of his own persuasion. The

* feiof . Prit— Atfa. Ob. voL IL— Hawkiat'i Hist, of Music.

BROUSSON. 91

states of Holland added six hundred florins, as a pension
for his widow, to four hundred which had been allowed to
her husband. His writings being principally those which
arose out of. the circumstances in which the reformed
church were then placed, we shall refer to Moreri for the
exact titles and dates, and give only the subjects, namely:
1. " The state of the reformed in France." 2. " Letters
to the French clergy in favour of the reformed religion/9
3, " Letters from the Protestants in France to all other
Protestants," printed and circulated at the expence of the
elector of Brandenburg. 4. " Letters to the Roman Ca-
tholics." 5. " A summary relation of the wonders wrought
by God in the Cevennes and Lower Languedoc, for the
consolation of his church." 6. A volume of Sermons.
7. " Remarks on Amelotte's translation of the New Tes-
tament ;" and some religious tracts, which he published
for circulation in France. l

BROUSSONET (Peter Augustus Maria), an eminent
French naturalist, was born at Montpellier, Feb. 28, 1761,
where his father was a reputable schoolmaster, and soon
discovered in him an insatiable thirst of knowledge, which
we may conclude he assisted him in gratifying. At the
early age of eighteen he was appointed by the university
of Montpellier to fill a professor's chair, and six years after
he was admitted a member of the academy of sciences by
an unanimous vote, a case which had not occurred from
the foundation of that learned body, but their choice ap-
peared amply justified by the several dissertations on na-
tural history, botany, and medicine, which he published. It
was bis earnest wish to establish the system of .Linnseus more
extensively in France. With this view, as well as for his own
improvement, he went to Paris, and examined the collec-
tions and museums, but not finding sufficient materials for
his purpose, he determined to visit the most celebrated
foreign collections, and came first to England, where he
was admitted an honorary member of the royal society, and
where he began his labours on the celebrated work on
fishes. On his return to Paris, he was appointed perpetual
secretary of the society of agriculture, which the intendant
Berthier de Sauvigny resigned for him. In 1789 he. was
appointed a member of the electoral college of Paris, and
Kke die other electors, was to supply such vacancies as

* DtaerwDicUHist.

M BROtfSSONET.

were occasioned by any interruptions in the exercise of the?
office of magistracy ; and the day it was his torn to go to
the Hotel de Ville, he saw his friend and protectbr, Ber-
thier, barbarously murdered by the pop uface. Broussonet
was then ordered to superintend the provisions of the ca*
pital, and was frequently in danger of his life at that tur-
bulent period. In 1791 he had a seat in the legislative
assembly, but quitted Paris the year following for his
native city, from which be was soon obliged to make his
escape, and after many dangers, arrived at Madrid, where
he was gladly received, and liberally assisted by the lite-
rati of that city. There, however, the French emigrant*
were so enraged at his having filled any office under the
revolutionary government, th&t they obliged him to leave
Madrid, and soon after, Lisbon, to which he had removed:
At hist he had an opportunity of going out as physician to
an embassy which the United States sent to the emperor
of Morocco,' and on this occasion, 'his friend sir Joseph
Banks, hearing of his distresses, remitted him a credit for
a thousand pounds. After his arrival at Morocco, he em-
ployed all his leisure hours in extending his botanical
Knowledge, and learning ; that his native country was re-
covering from its late anarchy, he solicited and obtained
permission to return, when the directory appointed him
consul at the Canaries. In consequence of this he resided
for two years at Teneriffe. In 1796, on his return, he
was admitted a member of the Institute, and again became
professor of botany at Montpellier, with the direction of
the botanical garden. He was afterwards chosen a mem-
ber of the legislative body, but died July 27, 1807, at
Montpellier, of an apoplectic stroke. It • was to him that
France owes the introduction of the Merino sheep, and
Angola goats. His publications are : K " Varies positioned
circa Respirationem," Montpellier, 1778. 2* " Ichthyo-
logia, sistens Piscium descriptiones et icones," London,
1782, containing descriptions of the most rare fishes;

3. ." Essai sur l'histoire naturelle del quelques especes de
Moines, decrites a la maniere de Linnie," 1784, 8vd.
This is the translation only of a Latin satire on the monks,
the original of which appeared in Germany, in 1783.

4. * Ann6e rurale, ou calendrier a Tusage des culrivateursj"
Paris, 1787-8, 2 vols. 12mx>. 5. " Notes pour servir a
l'histoire de Tecole de medicine de Montpellier pendant
l'an VI." Montpellier, 1795, 8vOr » 6. <« La Feuille dm

B R O U S S O N E T. »»

wdtivateur," 1788, and following years, 8 vols. 4to, which
he conducted with Messrs. Parmentier, Dubois, and Le-
febure. He contributed also a great many dissertations to
the academy of sciences, • the society of agriculture, &c.
and left many works in manuscript. *

BROUWER, or BRAUWER (Adrian), a celebrated
painter, according to some, was born at Oudenarde, in
Flanders, or according to others, at Haerlem, in Holland,
in 1608. His parents were of the poorer sort. His mother
sold to the country people bonnets and handkerchiefs, on
which Adrian, when almost in infancy, used to . paint
flowers and birds, and while thus employed, was disco-
vered by Francis Hals, an eminent artist, who, charmed
with the ease and taste he displayed in his art, proposed to
take him as an apprentice, and Brouwer did not long he*
sitate about accepting such an offer. His master soon
discovered his superior talents, and separated him from
his companions, that he might profit the better by him,
locked him up m a garret, and compelled him to work,
while he nearly starved him, but some pieces he painted by.
stealth, which probably irritated his jailor to be more watch-
ful of him. By the advice, however, of Adrian Van Ostade,
one of his companions, he contrived to make his escape,
and took refuge in a church. ; There, almost naked, and
not knowing where to go, he was recognised by some per-
son, who brought him back to his master, and by means of
a suit of clothes and some caresses, effected a temporary
reconciliation ; but being again subjected to the same mer-
cenary and tyrannical usage, he made his escape a second,
time, and went to Amsterdam, where he had the happiness
to find that his name was well known, and that his works
bore a great price. A picture dealer with whom he lodged,
gave him an hundred ducatoons-for a painting represent-
ing gamesters, admirably executed, which Brouwei*, who
had never possessed so much pioney* spent in a tavern
in the course of ten days. He then returned to his
employer, and when asked what he had done with his
money, answered that he had got rid of it, that he might
be more at leisure; and this unfortunate propensity to
alternate work<and extravagance marked the whole of his
future life, and involved him in many ridiculous adventures
and embarrassments unworthy of a man of genius. As

* Diet. Him

?♦ BROUWER.

soon as he had finished any piece, he offered it for sale4,
and if it did not produce a stipulated price, he burnt it,
and began another with greater care. Possessing a vein of
low humour, and engaging, both sober and drunk, in many
droll adventures, he removed from Amsterdam to Antwerp,
where be was arrested as a spy, and committed to prison.
This circumstance introduced him to an acquaintance with
the duke d'Aremberg, who, having observed his genius, by
some slight sketches drawn with black lead while in cus-
tody, requested Rubens to furnish him with materials; for
painting. Brouwer chose for his subject a groupe of sol-
diers playing at cards in a corner of the prison ; and when
the picture was finished, the duke himself was astonished,
and Rubens, when lie saw it, offered for it the sum of 600
guilders. The duke, however, retained it, and gave the
painter a much larger sum. Upon this, Rubens procured
his release, and received him into his house ; but, unin-
fluenced by gratitude to his benefactor, he stole away, and
returned to the scenes of low debauch, to which he had
been formerly accustomed* Being reduced to the neces-
sity of flying from justice, he took refuge in France ; and,
having wandered through several towns, he was at length
constrained by indigence to return to Antwerp, where he
was taken ill, and obliged to seek relief in an hospital ; and
in this asylum of self-procured poverty and distress he died
in his 32d year. Rubens lamented his death, and procured
for him an honourable interment in the church of the Car-
melites.

Such were the talents of Brouwer, that, in the course of
p, dissipated life, he attained to distinguished excellence iu
the style of pointing which he adopted. His subjects were
taken from low life, and copied after nature ; such as
droll conversations, feasts, taverns, drunken quarrels, boors
playing and disputing at cards, or surgeons dressing the
>vounded. His expression, however, is so lively and cha-
racteristic ; the management of bia colours so surprising ;
and truth was united with exquisite high finishing, correct*
ness of drawing, and wonderful transparence, to such a
degree, that his paintings are more valuable, and afford
higher prices, than many works of the mos,t eminent ma&r
ters. Some of his best works are found at Dusseldorp. His
drawings are dispersed in the various cabinets of Europe*
Several of his designs have been engraved ; and we have
some few etchings by himself of subjects usually repre-

BROWEB. »

rented ia bis pictures, which are signed with the initials of
his name, H. B. ; Adrian being spelled with an H. '

BROWER (Christopher), a learned Jesuit, was born
at Arnheim in 1559, and entered among the Jesuits at Co-*
logne ill 1580, among whom he was distinguished for his
talents. He taught philosophy at Treves, was afterwards
rector of the college of Fulde, and chiefly employed at his
leisure hours in composing his works, which procured him
great reputation, and the esteem of many men of learning,
especially cardinal fiaronius, who often mentions Brower in
his annals of the church, with high praise. He died at
Treves June 2, 1617. His writings are, 1. An edition of
" Venaotius Fortunatus," with notes and additions, Co-
logne, 1624, 4to. 2. " Scholia on the poems of Rabanus
Maurus," in vol. VI. of the works of Maurus. 3. " Anti-
quitatea Foldenses," 1612, 4 to. 4. " Sidera illustrium et
S. S. . Virorum qui Germaniam rebus gestis ornarunt,"
Mentz, 1616, 4tot 5. " Historia Episcoporum Trevereu-
sium, &c." Cologne, 1626. He had also a principal hand
in the u Antiquities and Annals of Treves,9' 1626, £ vols,
folio, and reprinted 1670; but some antiquaries are of
opinion that in his anxiety to give correct copies of certain
ancient documents, he took liberties with the originals
which tend to lessen the authority of his transcripts. •

BROWN (James), an English traveller and scholar, the
son of James Brown, M. D. (who died Nov. 24, 1733), was
born at Kelso, in the shire of Roxburgh, in Scotland, May
23, 1709, and was educated under Dr. Freind at Westmin-
ster-school, where he made great proficiency in the Latin
and Greek .classics. In the latter end of 1722, he went
with his father to Constantinople, and having a great apti-
tude for the learning of languages, acquired a competent
knowledge of the Turkish, vulgar Greek, and Italian ; and
on his return home in 1725, made himself master of the
Spanish tongue. . About the year 1732, he first started the
idea of a very useful book in the mercantile world, although
not deserving a place in any literary class, " The Directory,"
-or list of principal traders in London ; and having taken
some pains to lay the foundation of it, he gave it to the
late Mr. Henry Kent, printer in Finch-lane, Corn bill, who
continued it from year to year, aud acquired an estate by it.

1 Argenville, vol. III. — Descamps* voL II.— Pilkington.-— Strutt,
* Moreri.— -Foppen Bibl. Belg.

86 BROWN.

In 1741, Mr. Brown entered into an agreement with
twenty-four of the principal merchants of London, mem-
bers of the Russia Company, as their chief agent or factor,
for the purpose of carrying on a trade, through Russia, to
and from Persia, and he sailed for Riga Sept, 29. Thence
he passed through Russia, down the Volga to Astracan, and
sailed along the Caspian sea to Reshd in Persia, where he
established a factory, in which he continued near four years.
During this time, he travelled in state to the camp of
Nadir Shah, commonly known by the name of Kouli Khan,
with a letter which had been transmitted to him from the
late George II. to that monarch. While he resided in this
country, he applied himself much to the study of that lan-
guage, and made such pro&ciency in it that, after his re-
turn home, he compiled a very copious " Persian Dic-
tionary and Grammar," with many curious specimens of
their writing, which is yet in manuscript. But not being *
satisfied with the conduct of some of the merchants in Lon-
don, and being sensible of the dangers that the factory was
constantly exposed to from the unsettled and tyrannical
nature of the government of Persia, be resigned his charge
to the gentlemen who were appointed to succeed him, re-
turned to London Dec. 25, 1746, and lived to be the last
survivor of all the persons concerned in the establishment
of that trade, having outlived his old friend Mr. Jonas
Han way above two years. In May 1787, he was visited
with a slight paralytic stroke, all the alarming effects of
which very speedily vanished, and he retained his wonted
health and chearfulness till within four days of his death,
when a second and more severe stroke proved fatal' Nov.
30, 1788. He died at his house at Stoke Ne win gton;
where he had been an inhabitant since 1734, and was suc-
ceeded by his worthy son James Brown, esq. F. S. Ar. now
of St. Alban's. Mr. Lysons informs us that the elder Mr;
Brown published also a translation of two " Orations of
Isocrates" without his name. He was a man of the strictest
integrity, unaffected piety, and exalted, but unostenta-
tious benevolence ; of an even, placid, chearful temper,
. which he maintained to the last, and which contributed to
lengthen his days. Few men were ever more generally
esteemed in life, or more respectfully spoken of after death
by all who knew him. l

* Gent. Maf. 1788.— Lysont's Environs, vol III.

BROWN. *7

BROWN (John), an ingenious English writer, descend-
ed From the Browns of Colstown near Haddington in Scot-
land, was born in Northumberland, Nov. 5, 1715, at Roth-
bury, of which place his father was curate, but removed
almost immediately after to the vicarage of Wigton in
Cumberland, where, at a grammar-school, he received the
first part of his education ; and was thence removed, May
8, 1732, to St. John's college in Cambridge. He remained
here, till in 1735 he took the degree of B. A. then returned
to Wigton, and soon after went into orders. His first set*
tlement was in Carlisle, being chosen a minor canon and
lecturer in the cathedral there. This situation he after-
wards resigned, on being reproved for omitting the Atha->
nasian creed, which it is said was merely accidental. Hid
pride, however, was hurt, and next Sunday he read the
creed, out of course, and immediately after resigned. In
1739 he took a M. A. degree at Cambridge. In the rebel-
lion of 1745, he acted as a volunteer at the siege of Car-
lisle, and behaved himself with great intrepidity ; and, after
the defeat of the rebels, when some of them were tried at
Carlisle in 1746, he preached two excellent sermons in the
cathedral, " on the mutual connection between religious
truth and civil freedom ; and between superstition, tyranny,
irreligion, and licentiousness." These are to be found in
the volume of hisisermons.

Thus distinguished, he fell under the notice of Dr.
Osbaldeston ; who, when raised to the see of Carlisle, made
him one of his chaplains : he had before obtained for him.
from the chapter of Carlisle the living of Moreland in
Westmoreland. It is probably about this time that he wrote
his poem- entitled "Honour;" to shew, that true honour
can only be founded in virtue : it was inscribed to lord'
Lopsdale. His next poetical production, though not im-
mediately published, was his " Essay on Satire," in three
parts, afterwards addressed to Dr. Warburton, who intro-
duced him to Mr. Allen of Prior Park near Bath. While
at Mr. Allen's he preached at Bath, April 22, 1750, a ser-i
mon for promoting the subscription towards the general
hospital in that city, entitled " On the pursuit of false
pleasure, and the mischiefs of immoderate gaming ;'* and
there was prefixed to it, when published, the following
advertisement: "In justice to the magistrates of ihe city
of Bath, it is thought proper to inform the reader, that
the public gaming-tables were by them suppressed there,

Vol.. VII. H

$8 BROWN.

soon after the preaching of this sermon." The year after,
appeared the " Essay on Satire," prefixed to the second
volume of Pope's Works by Warburton ; with which it still
continues to be printed, as well as in Dodsley's collection.

Brown now began to make no small figure as a writer ;
and in 1751, published his " Essays on Shaftesbury's Cha-
racteristics," 8vo, a work written with elegance and spirit,
a'ud so applauded as to be printed a fifth time in 1 764.
This was suggested to him by Warburtou, and to Warbur-
ton by Pope, who told Warburton that to his knowledge
the Characteristics had done more barm to revealed reli-
gion in England than all the works of infidelity put toge-
ther. He is imagined to have had a principal hand in
another book, published also the same year, and called
" An essay on musical expression ;" though the avowed
author was Mr. Charles Avison. (See Avison.) In 1754*
he printed a sermon, " On the use and abuse of externals
in religion : ppeached before the bishop of Carlisle, at the
consecration of St. James's church in Whitehaven, and .soon
after he was promoted to Great Horkesley in Essex ; a liv-
ing conferred upon him by the late earl of Hardwicke. His
next appearance was as a dramatic writer. In 1755, hi*
tragedy " Bajrbarossa," was produced upon the stage, and
afterwards his " Athelstan" in 1756. These tragedies
were acted with considerable success, under the manage-
ment of Garrick ; and the former long remained what is
called a stock- piece, notwithstanding many critical objec-
tions offered to it in the publications of the time*.

Our author had taken his doctor of divinity's degree in
1755. In 1757, came out his famous work, " An Estimate
of the manners and principles of the times," 8vo ; of which
seven editions were printed in little more than a year, and
it was perhaps as extravagantly applauded, and as extra-
vagantly censured, as any book that was ever written. The
design of it was to show, that " a vain, luxurious, and
«elfish effeminacy, in the higher ranks of life, marked the
character of the age; and to point out the effects and
sources of this effeminacy." And it must be owned, that,
in the prosecution of it, the author has given abundant
proofs of great discernment and solidity of judgment, a

* " I am grieved that either these < clergyman in these times, to make
unrewarding times, or his love of connexions with players." Warburtou'^
poetcy, or his love of money, should Letters, Jan. 31, 1755-6.
iave made him overlook the duty of a

BROWN, 9$

deep insight into human nature, an extensive knowledge
of the world ; and that he has marked the peculiar features
of the times with great justness and accuracy. The great
objection was, that a spirit of self-importance, dogmatical -
ness, and oftentimes arrogance, mixed itself in what he
says ; and this certainly did more towards sharpening the
pens of his numerous adversaries, and raised more disgust
and offence at him, than the matter objected to in his work,
for it may be added that those who wrote against him were
not men of the first rank in literature, and could have done
little against him without the aid of those personalities
which arise from the temper of an author. In 1758 he
published a second volume of the Estimate, &c. and*
afterwards, " An explanatory defence of it, &c."

Between the first and second volume of the Estimate, he
republished Dr. Walker's " Diary of the Siege of London-
derry ;" with a preface, pointing out the useful purposes
to which the perusal of it might be applied. He was, about
this time, presented by the bishop of Carlisle, Dr. Osbal-
deston, to the vicarage of St. Nicholas in Newcastle upon
Tyne, resigning Great Horkesley in Essex ; and was mad$
one Of the chaplains in ordinary to his present majesty.
These were all the preferments our author ever received ;
and, as this was supposed to be no small mortification to a
man of Dr. Brown's high spirit, so it was probably this
high spirit which was the cause of it; for such was bis tem-
per that he never could preserve his friends longj and he
had before this time quarrelled with Warburton and lord
Hardwicke. In 1760 he published an additional dialogue
of the dead, between " Pericles and Aristides," being a
sequel to a dialogue of lord Lyttelton' s between " Pericles
and Cosmo." This is supposed by some to have been de-
signed as a vindication of Mr. Pitt's political character,
against some hints of disapprobation by lord Lyttelton;
while others have not excluded a private motive of resent-
ment. It is said that lord Lyttelton in a numerous and
mixed company neglected to take notice of our author in
so respectful a manner as he thought he deserved ; and in
revenge, weak enough certainly, he composed the dia-
logue. His next publication was "The Cure of Saul," a
sacred ode ; which was followed the same year by a " Dis*
sertation on the rise, union, and power, the progression*,
separations, and corruptions of poetry and music," 4to»
This is a pleasing performance, displays great ingenuity,

H 2

106 BROWN,

and* though not without mistakes, very instructing as tvefl
as amusing. " Observations" were printed upon it by an
anonymous writer, and Dr. Brown defended himself in "Re-
marks." He published in 8vo, 1764, the " History of the
rise and progress of Poetry through its several species :'*
being the substance of the above work concerning poetry
only, fQr the benefit of classical readers not knowing in
music. The same year, he printed a volume of "Ser-
mons," most of which had been printed separately; and in
1765, "Thoughts on Civil Liberty, Licentiousness, and Fac-
tion ;" a piece, drawn up with great parade, and assuming
a scientific form, with an intention to censure the op-
posers of administration at that time. A sermon on the*
" Female character and education," preached the 16th of
May, 1765, before the guardians of the asylum for deserted
female orphans.

His last publication, in 1766, was a " Letter to the rev.
Dr. Lowfrb," occasioned by his late letter to the right rev.
author of the " Divine Legation of Moses." Dr. Lowth
had pointed at Dr. Brown, as one of the extravagant flat-
terers and creatures of Warburton ; and Dr. Brown defend-
ed himself against the imputation, as an attack upon his
moral character. To do him justice, he had a spirit too
#trong and independent, to bend to that literary subjection
which the author of the Divine Legation expected from his
followers. He insisted upon the prerogative of his own
opinion ; to assent and dissent, whenever he saw cause, in
the most unreserved manner : and this was to Dr. Brown,
as it was to many others, the cause of misunderstanding
with Warburton. Besides the works mentioned, he pub-
lished a poem on " Liberty," and some anonymous
pamphlets. At the end of his later writings, he advertised
an intention of publishing "Principles of Christian Legisla-
tion," but was prevented by death. He ordered, however,
by his will, that the work should be published after his de-
cease * ; but it was left too imperfect for that purpose.
The last memorable circumstance of his life was his in-
tended expedition to Russia. While Dr. Dumaresque re-

• The reason of this delay having imperfect for publication, and that a

fceen somewhat illiberally conjectured satisfactory apology was sent to the

iin the last edition of our Dictionary, editors of the Biog. Britannica, who*

it is but justice to one of his executors in its place,, substituted a paragraph

to refer «ur readers to his letter in the of their own, not quite so well founded.

dent. Mag. vol. LXI. p. 995, in which See al&o the plan of the work, vok

they will find that the work was left too LXU. p, 9.

BROWN, *0i

*ided in Russia, 1765, whither, having been chaplain to
our factory at St. Petersburg from 1747 to 1762, he had
been invited the year before by the empress, to assist in
the regulation of several schools she, was about to estab-
lish; a correspondent in England suggested the idea tQ
htm of communicating the affair to Dr. Brown, as a pro-
per person to consult with, because he had published soma
jgermons upon education. This brought on a correspond-
ence between Dr. Dumaresque and Dr. Brown ; the result
of which, being communicated to the prime minister at
St. Petersburg, was followed by an invitation from the em-
press to Dr. Brown also. Dr. Brown, acquainting the Rus*
sian court with his design of complying with the empress' *
Invitation, received an answer from the minister, signify-
ing how pleased her imperial majesty was with his inten-
tion, and informing him, that she had ordered to be re-
mitted to him, by her minister in London, 1000/. in order
to defray the expences of his journey. All the letters
which passed, the plans which were drawn by Dr. Brown,
and, in short, every thing relating to this affair, may be
seen at large under his article in the " Biographia Britan-
nic a," as communicated to the author of it by Dr. Duma*
resque.

In consequence of the above proceedings, while he was
ardently preparing for his journey, and almost on the point
of setting out for St. Petersburg, the gout and rheumatism,
to which he was subject, returned upon him with violence,
and put a stop to the affair for the present, to his no small
disappointment. This disappointment concurring with his
ill state of health, was followed by a dejection of spirits,
which terminated in his putting an end to his life, at his
lodgings in Pall-mall, Sept 23, 1766, in his 51st year.
He cut the jugular vein with a razor, and died immediately.
He had, it seems, a constitutional tendency to insanity, and
from his early life had been subject at times to disorders in
the brain, at least to melancholy in its excess ; of which he
used to complain to his friends, and to " express t\is fears,
that one time or another some ready mischief might present
itself to him, at a time when be was wholly deprived of1 his
reason."

Dr. Brown was a man of uncommon ingenuity, but un-
fortunately tinctured with an undue degree of self-opinion,
and perhaps the bias of his mind to insanity will assign this
best cause, as well as form the best excuse, for this. H*

102 BROWN.

^genius was extensive ;' for, besides bis being so elegant a
prose writer in various kinds of composition, he was a poet,
a musician, and a painter. His learning does not, how-
ever, appear to have been equal to his genius. His inven-
tion was, indeed > inexhaustible; and hence he was led to
form magnificent plans, the execution of which required a
greater depth of erudition than he was possessed of. In di-
vinity, properly so called, as including an extensive know-
ledge of the controverted points of theology, and a critical
Acquaintance with the Scriptures, he was not deeply con-
versant. All we can gather from his sermons is, that his
ideas were liberal, and that he did not lay much stress on
ihp disputed doctrines of Christianity. His temper, we
are told, was suspicious, and sometimes threw him into dis-
agreeable altercations with his friends ; but this arose, in a
great measure, if not entirely, from the constitutional' dis-
order described above, a very suspicious turn of mind Be-
ing one of the surest prognostics of lunacy. He has been
charged with shifting about too speedily, with a view to
preferment; and it was thought, that his " Thoughts on
Civil Liberty, Licentiousness, and Faction," seemed to
have something of this appearance. He, However, in that
performance endeavoured to remove the objection, by ob-
serving, that, if he had indirectly censured those whom he
had formerly applauded, he never was attached to men, but
measures ; and that, if he had questioned the conduct of
those only who were then out of power, he had heretofore
questioned their conduct with the same freedom, when in
the fulness of their power. Upon the whole, Dr. Brown's
defects, which chiefly arose from a too sanguine tempera-
ment of constitution, were compensated by many excel-
lencies and virtues. With respect to his writings, they
are all of them elegant. Even those which are of a more
temporary nature may continue to be read with pleasure,
as containing a variety of curious observations ; and in his
Estimate are many of those unanswerable truths that can
never be unseasonable or unprofitable. *

BROWN (John), a Scotch artist, the Son of a gold*
"Bmith and watchmaker, was born in 1752 at Edinburgh,
and was early destined to take up the profession of a pain-
ter. He travelled into Italy in 1771, and during the

1 Biog. Brit. — Gent Mag. vol LXI. and LXH. — Warburton's Letters, 4to

edit p. 26, 58, 124, 133, J52, 188, 2Q4, 22}, 238,. 240, 282,

BROWN. 103

course of ten years residerice there, the pencil afcd crayon
were ever in his band, and the sublime thoughts of Ra-
phael and Michael Angelo ever in his imagination. By
continual practice he obtained a correctness and elegance
of contour, rarely surpassed by any British artist, but be
unfortunately neglected the mechanism of the pallet till
his taste was so refined that Titian, and Murillo, and Cor-
reggio made his heart to sink within him when he touched
the canvass. When he attempted to lay in his colours^
the admirable correctness of his contour was lost, and he
had not self-sufficiency to persevere till it should be re-
covered in that tender evanescent outline which is so dif-
ficult to be attained even by the most eminent painters.
At Rome he met with sir William Young and Mr. Townley ;
who, pleased with some very beautiful drawings done by
him in pen and ink, took him with them, as a draftsman,
into Sicily. Of the antiquities of this celebrated island he
took several very fine views in pen and ink, exquisitely
finished, yet still preserving the character and spirit of the
buildings he intended to represent. He returned some
years afterwards from Italy to his native town, where he
was much belbved and esteemed, his conversation being
extremely acute and entertaining on most subjects, but
peculiarly so on those of art ; and his knowledge of music
being very great, and his taste in it extremely just and
refined. Lord Monboddo gave hinp a general invitation to
his elegaht and convivial table, and employed him in
making several drawings in pencil for him. Mr. Brown,
however, in 1786, came to London, and was caressed by
scholars and men of taste in that metropolis, where he was
very much employed as a painter of small portraits in black
lead pencil, which were always correctly drawn, and ex-
hibited, with a picturesque fidelity, the features and cha-
racter of the person who sat to him.

Mr. Brown was not only known as an exquisite drafts-
man, he was also a good philosopher, a sound scholar, and
endowed with a just and refined taste in all the liberal and
polite arts, and a man of consummate worth and integrity.
Soon after his death his " Letters on the Poetry and Music
of the Italian Opera," 12mo, were published. They were
originally written to his friend lord Monboddo, who wished
to have Mr. Brown's opinion on those subjects, which have
so intimate a connection with his work on the Origin and
Progress of Language ; and who was 'so pleased with the

i04 BROW N.

style and observations contained in them, that he wrote
an introduction, which was published with them, in one
volume, I2Q10, 1789, for the benefit of his widow. The
letters, written with great elegance and perspicuity, are
certainly the production of a strong and fervid mind, ac-
quainted with the subject ; and must be useful to most of
the frequenters of the Italian opera, by enabling them to
understand the reasons on which the pleasure they receive
at that musical performance is founded, a knowledge in
which they are generally very deficient. Not being written
for publication, they have that spirit and simplicity which
every man of genius diffuses through any subject which he
communicates in confidence, and which he is but too apt
to refine away when he sits down to compose a work for
the public. Lord Monboddo, in the fourth volume of the
Origin and Progress of Language, speaking of Mr. Brown,
says, " The account that I have given of the Italian lan-
guage is taken from one who resided above ten years in
Italy ; and who, besides understanding the language per-
fectly, is more learned in the Italian arts of painting,
sculpture, music, and poetry, than any man I ever met
with. His natural good taste he has improved by the study
of the monuments of ancient art, to be seen at Rome and
Florence ; and as beauty in all the arts is pretty much the
same, consisting of grandeur and simplicity, variety, de-
corum, and a suitableness to the subject, I think he is a
good judge of language, and of writing, as well as of
painting, sculpture, and music." A very well- written cha-
racter in Latin, by an advocate of Edinburgh, is appended
to the Letters. Mr. Brown left behind him several very
highly-finished portraits in pencil, and many very exqui-
site sketches in pencil and in pen and ink, which he had
taken of persons and of places in Italy ; particularly a book
of studies of heads, taken from the life, an inestimable
treasure to any history painter, as a common-place book
for his pictures, the heads it contained being all of them
Italian ones, of great expression, or of high character.
He was so enraptured with his art, and so assiduous in the
pursuit of it, that he suffered no countenance of beauty,
grace, dignity, or expression, to pass him unnoticed ; and
to be enabled to possess merely a sketch for himself, of
any subject that struck his fancy, he would make a present
of a high-finished drawing to the person who permitted his
bead to be taken by him. The characteristics of his hand *

BROWN. 10*

were delicacy, correctness, and taste, as the drawings he
made from many of Mr. Townley's best statues very plainly
evince. Of his mind, the leading features were acuteness,
liberality, and sensibility, joined to a character firm, vi-
gorous, and energetic. The last efforts of this ingenious
artist were employed in making two very exquisite draw-
ings', the one from Mr. Townley's celebrated bust of Ho-
mer, the other from a fine original bust of Pope, supposed
to have been the work of Rysbrac. From these drawings
two very beautiful engravings have been made by Mr. Bar-
tolozzi and his pupil Mr. Bovi. After some stay in Lon-
don, his health, which had never been robust, yielded to
extraordinary application, and he was forced to try a sea-
voyage, and return on a visit to Edinburgh, to settle his
father's affairs, who was then dead, having been some time
before in a state of imbecility. On the passage from
London to Leith, he was somehow neglected as he lay
sick on his hammock, and was on the point of death
when he arrived at Leith. With much difficulty he was
brought up to Edinburgh, and laid in the bed of his friend
Runciman, the artist, who had died not long before in the
same place. Here he died, Sept. 5, 1787. His portrait
with Runciman, disputing about a passage in Shakspeare's
Tempest, is in the gallery at Dryburgh abbey. This was
the joint production of Brown and Runciman before the
death of the latter in 1784. *

BROWN (John), a clergyman of the church of Scot-
land, who long kept an academy for the education of
young men for the ministry among the class called Se-
ceders in that country^ was born in 1722, in a village
called Kerpoo, in the county of Perth. His *parents died
when he was very young, leaving him almost destitute,
but by some means he contrived to obtain books, if not
regular education, and by dint of perseverance acquired a
considerable knowledge of Latin, Greek* and Hebrew,
with which last he was critically conversant. H# could
also read and translate the French, Italian, German, Ara-
bic, Persian, Syriac, and Ethiopic, but his favourite stu-
^ dies were divinity, and history both ecclesiastical and

civil. His principles being Calvinistic, his reading was
much confined to writers of that stamp, but he appears to

1 From the preceding edition of this Dictionary, with additions from Dr, An*
Arson's " Bee," vof. XV,

106 BROW N.

have studied every controversy in which the church has
been involved, with much attention. At what time he was
ordained, does not appear, but his extensive learning
pointed him out to the associate synod, or synod of se-
ceders, as a fit person to be their professor of divinity,
and train up young men, who had had a previous educa-
tion, for the office of the ministry within their pale. His
residence was at Haddington, where he was preacher to a
numerous congregation of the seceders. At one time he
received a^ pressing invitation from the Dutch church in
the province of New York, to be their tutor in divinity,
which he declined. He died June 19, 1787. His princi-
pal works are, 1. An edition of the Bible, called " The
Self-interpreting Bible/' from its marginal references,
which are far more copious than in any other edition, Lon-
don, 1791,2 vols. 4to, and since reprinted. 2. " Dictionary
of the Bible, on the plan of Calmet, but principally adapted
to common readers; often reprinted, 2 vols. Svo. 3. "Ex-
plication of Scripture Metaphors," 1 2mo. 4. " History of
the Seceders," eighth edition, 1802, 12mo. 5. "The
Christian Student and Pastor," 1781, an abridgment of the
Lives of Pious Men. 6. " Letters on the Government of
the Christian Church." 7. " General History of the
Church," 1771, 2 vols. l2mo, a very useful compendium
of church history, partly on the plah of Mosheim, or
perhaps rather of Lampe. After his death appeared a vo-
lume entitled " Select Remains," with some account of
his life. l

BROWN (John), M. D. author of what has been called
the Brunonian system in medicine, was born in the parish
of Buncle, ih the county of Berwick, in the year 1735, of
parents in a mean situation in life, but, in common with
the children of other villagers in Scotland, he received his
education at a grammar-school. As his mind was much
above the ra»k he was born in, his progress in literature
was pipportionably superior to the rest of his school-fel-
lows. He there imbibed a taste for letters, so that when
he was afterwards put apprentice to a weaver, instead of
attending to his business, his whole mind was bent on pro-
curing books, which he read with* great eagerness. Find-
ing this disposition could not be conquered, his father
took him from thfe loom, and sent him to the grammar-

* Select Remains, &c.

B B O W N. i07

school at D arise, where, under the tuition of Mr. Cruick-
shanks, he made such progress that he was soon regarded
*s a prodigy. He read all the Latin classics with the
greatest facility, and was no mean prbficieot in the know-
ledge of the Greek language. " His habits," we are told,
,t€ were sober, he was of a religious turn, and was so
-strongly attached to the sect of Seceders, or Whigs as they
are called in Scotland, in which he had been bred, that he
would have thought his salvation hazarded, if he had at-
tended the meetings of the established church. He aspired
to be a preacher of a purer religion." An accident, how-
ever, disgusted him with this society, before he was of an,
age to be chosen a pastor, for which it appears he was in-
tended. Having been prevailed on by some of his school-
fellows to attend divine service at the parish church of
Dunse, he was summoned before the session of the se-
ceding congregation to ansvrer for this offence ; but his
high spirit not brooking to make an apology, to avoid the
censures of his brethren, and the ignominy of being, ex-
pelled their community, he abdicated his principles, and
professed himself a member of the established church.
As his talents for literature were well known, he was
taken, at the age of twenty, to the house of a gentleman
in the neighbourhood of Dunse, as tutor to his son. Here
he did not long reside, but went the same year, 1755, to
Edinburgh, where he applied to the study of divinity, in
which he proceeded so far as to deliver, in the public hall,
a discourse upon a prescribed portion of scripture, the
usual step preliminary to ordination. But here his theo-
logical studies appear to have ended, and he suddenly left
Edinburgh, returned to Dunse, and officiated* as an usher
in the school where he had been educated. He now ex-
hibited himself as a free-liver and free-thinker, his dis*
course and manners being equally licentious and irregular,
which accounts for his dereliction of the study of theology.
At Dunse he continued about a year. During this time,
a vacancy happening in one of the classes in the high
school at Edinburgh, Brown appeared as a candidate, but
was not successful. Soon after he was applied to by a
student in medicine, at Edinburgh, Jo put his inaugural,
thesis into Latin. This he performed in so superior a
manner, that it gained him great reputation ; it opened to
him a path which he had not probably before thought of,
for turning his erudition to profit. On the strength of 'the

» »

10* BROWN.

character procured him by this performance, he returned
to Edinburgh, and determined to apply to the study of
medicine. " He bad now," he said, " discovered his
strength, and was afabitious of riding in his carriage as a
physician." At the opening of the session he addressed
Latin letters to each of the professors, who readily gave
him tickets. of admission to their lectures, which be attended
diligently for several years ; in the interim, teaching Latin
to such of the pupils, as applied, and assisting them in
writing their theses, or turning them into Latin. The
price, when he composed the thesis, was ten guineas;
when he translated their compositions into Latin, live. If
he had been now prudent, or had not indulged in the most
" destructive excesses, he might, it is probable, in a fevr
years, have attained the eminence he promised himself;
but he marred all by his intemperance. In no long time
after this, his constitution, which had been hardy and ro-
bust, became debilitated, and he bad the face and appear-
ance of a worn-out debauchee. His bad habits had not,
however, prevented his getting the friendship or assistance
of Dr. Cullen, who, desirous of availing himself of his
talents, employed him as a tutor to his sons, and made
use of him as an assistant in his lectures ; Brown repeating
to his pupils in the evening, the lecture they had heard in
the morning, and explaining to them such parts as were
abstruse and difficult. In 1765 he married, and took a
house, which was soon filled with boarders.; but, conti-
nuing his improvident course, he became a bankrupt at the
end of three or four years. He now became a candidate
for one of the medical chairs, but failed ; and as he attri-
buted his niis$ing this promotion to Dr. Cullen, he very un-
advisedly broke off his connection with him, and became the
declared enemy to him and his system ; which he had always
before strenuously defended. This probably determined him
to form, a new^ystem of medicine, doubtless meaning to an-
nihilate that of his former patron. As he had read but few
medical books, and was but little versed in practice, his
theory must have been rather the result of contemplation
than of experience. That in forming it, he was influenced
by his attachment to spirituous liquors, seems probable
from internal evidence, and from the effects he attributed
to them of diminishing the number as well as the severity
of the fits of the gout, under which he suffered. He always
found them more severe and frequent/ he says, when.

BROWN. 109

be lived abstemiously. One of his pupils informed Dr;
Beddoes, '" that he was used, before he began to read his
lecture, to take fifty drops of laudanum in a glass of
whisky ; repeating the dose four or five times during the
lecture. Between the effects of these stimulants, and
voluntary exertions, he soon waxed warm, and by degrees
his imagination was exalted into phrenzy." His intention
seems to have been to simplify medicine, and to render
the knowledge of it easily attainable, without the labour
of studying other authors. All general or universal dis-
eases were therefore reduced by him to two great families
or classes, the sthenic and the asthenic ; the former de-
pending upon excess, the latter upon deficiency of ex-
citing power. The former were to be removed by debili-
tating, the latter by stimulant medicines, of which the
most valuable and powerful are wine, brandy, and opium.
As asthenic diseases are more numerous, and occur mucb
more frequently than those from an opposite cause, his
opportunities of calling in the aid of these powerful stimuli
were proportionately numerous. " Spasmodic and con-
vulsive disorders, and even hemorrhages," he says, "werei
found to proceed from debility ; and wine, and brandyr
which had been thought hurtful in these diseases, he found
the most powerful of all remedies in removing them."
When he had completed his plan, he published his theoiy
or system, under the title of " Elementa Medicinae," from
his preface to which the preceding quotations have been
principally taken. Though hejiad been eleven or twelve
years at Edinburgh, he had not taken his degree of doctor;
and as he was now at variance with all the medical pro-
fessors, not thinking it prudent to offer himself there, he
went to St. Andrew' s, where he was readily admitted to
that honour. He now' commenced public teacher of me-
dicine, making his " Elementa9' his text book ; and con-
vinced, as it seems, of the soundness of his doctrine, he
exultingly demands (preface to a new edition of the trans-
lation of his " Elementa,7' by Dr. Beddoes), whether the
medical art, hitherto conjectural, incoherent, and in the
great body of its doctrines false, was not at last reduced to
a science of demonstration, which might be called the
science of life ? His method in giving*his lectures was, first
to translate the text book, sentence by sentence, and then
to expatiate upon the passage. The novelty of the doc-
trine procured him at first a pretty numerous class of pupils;

110 BROWN*

but as he was irregular in his attendance, and his habits
of drinking increased upon him, they were soon reduced
in number, and he became so involved in his circum-
stances, that it became necessary for him to quit Edin-
burgh ; he therefore came to London in the autumn of the
year 1786. Here, for a time, he was received with fa-
vour, but his irregularities in living increasing upon him,
he came to his lodgings, in the evening of the 8th of Oc-
tober, in 1788, intoxicated, and taking, as it was his
custom, a large dose of laudanum, he died in the course
of the night, before he had entered on his career of lec-
turing, for which he was making preparations. He had
the preceding year published " Observations on the Old
t Systems of Physic," as a prelude to the introduction of his
own ; but it was little noticed. His opinions have, how-
ever, met with patrons in Germany and Italy, as well as
in this country, and several volumes have been written on
the subject of them ; but they are now pretty generally,1
and deservedly, abandoned.

In 1796, Dr. Beddoes published an edition of "The
Elements of Medicine of John Brown, M. D " for the benefit
of his family, with a biographical preface, from which the
above account was taken by a learned gentleman for the
Cyclopaedia.- Perhaps from the same materials, a more
favourable colouring might »be given, and has been given
in Dr. Gleig's Supplement to the Encycl. Britannica, but
we question if any account can be given more consistent
with truth. *

BROWN (Lancelot), an eminent horticulturist, and,
from a word often employed by him in laying out gardens,
called Capability Brown *, was born at Kirkharle, in North*
umberland, Aug. 1715. Of his education we have no ac-
count, but he came early in life to the metropolis, and was
employed by lord Cobham in improving the grounds at
Stowe; and afterwards at Richmond, Blenheim, Luton,
Wimbledon, Nuneham, &c. where he improved orna-
mental gardening in a very high degree, and approached
more nearly to nature than his predecessors. In these
operations he frequently discovered a very highly culti-
vated taste, and may be said to have led the fashion in

* There was another garden -surveyor of the same name,, and a contempo-
rary, who by way of distinction waa called Sense Brown.

1 Beddoes1 edit, as above. — Reel's Cyclopaedia.

BROWN- 111

horticulture for nearly half a century. He associated also
with familiarity with many of his noble and opulent em-
ployers, and realized a handsome fortune. Irk 1770 he
served the office of high sheriff for the counties of Hun-
tingdon and Cambridge.' He died suddenly in Hertford-
street, . May -fair, Feb. 6, 1783, being at that time head
gardener to his majesty, at Hampton-court. l

BROWN (Robert), an English divine of the sixteenth
and beginning of the seventeenth century, from whom the
sect of the Brownists derived its name, was descended of
an ancient and worshipful family, says Fuller, (one whereof
founded a fair hospital in Stamford), and was nearly allied
to the lord-treasurer Cecil. He was the son of Anthony
Brown, of Tolthorp, in Rutlandshire, esq. (though bora
at Northampton, according to Mr. Collier), and grandson
of Francis Brown, whom king Henry VIII. in the eigh-
teenth year of his reign, privileged by charter to wear
his cap in the presence of himself, his heirs, or any of his
nobles, and not to uncover but at his own pleasure ;
which charter was confirmed by act of parliament. Robert
Brown studied divinity at Cambridge, in Corpus Christi
college, and was afterwards a schoolmaster in South-
ward He was soon discovered by Dr. Still, master of
Trinity-college, to have somewhat extraordinary in him
that would prove a great disturbance to the church. Brown
soon verified what the doctor foretold, for he not only im-
bibed Cartwright's opinions, but resolved to refine upon
his scheme, and to produce something more perfect of his
own. Accordingly, about the year 1580, he began to in-
veigh openly against the discipline and ceremonies of the
church of England, and soon shewed that he' intended to
gQ much farther than Cartwright had ever done. In his
discourses the church government was antichristian ; her
sacraments clogged with superstition; the liturgy had a
mixture of Popery and Paganism in it ; and the mission of
the clergy was no better than that of Baal's priests in the
Old Testament. He first preached at Norwich, in 1581,
where the Dutch having a numerous congregation, many
of them inclined to Anabaptism ; and, therefore, being the
more disposed to entertain any new resembling opinion,
he made his first essay upon them ; and having made some
progress, and raised a character for zeal and sanctity, he

* Gent. Mag. fee.

118 BROWN.

then began to infect his own countrymen ; for which pur-
pose he called in the assistance of one Richard Harrison, a
country schoolmaster, and they formed churches out of
both nations, but mostly of the English. He instructed
his audience that the church of England was no true
church ; that there was little of Christ's institution in the
public ministrations, and that all good Christians were
obliged to separate from those impure assemblies ; that
their only way was to join him and his disciples, among
whom all was pure and unexceptionable, evidently in-
spired by the Spirit of God, and refined from all alloy and
prophanation. These discourses prevailed on the audi-
ence; and his disciples, now called Brownists, formed a
society, and made a total defection from the church, re-
fusing to join any congregation1 in any public office of
worship. Brown being convened before Dr.Freake, bishop
of Norwich, and other ecclesiastical commissioners, he
maintained his schism, to justify which he had also written
a book, and behaved rudely to the court, on which he was
committed to the custody of the sheriff of Norwich ; but
his relation, the lord treasurer Burghley, imputing his
error aud obstinacy to zeal, .rather than malice, interceded
to have him charitably persuaded out of his opinions, and
released. To this end he wrote a letter to the bishop of
Norwich, which procured his enlargement. After this,
his lordship ordered Brown up to London, and recom-
mended him to archbishop Whitgift for his instruction and
counsel, in order to his amendment ; but Brown left the
kingdom, and settled at Middleburgh in Zealand, where
he and his followers obtained leave of the states to form a
church according to their own model, which was drawn in
a book published by Brown at Middleburgh in 1582, and
called " A treatise of Reformation, without staying for any
man." How long he remained at Middleburgh, is not
precisely known ; but he was in England in 1585, when
he was cited to appear before archbishop Whitgift, to
answer to certain matters contained in a book published by
him, but what this was, we are not informed. The arch-
bishop, however, by force of reasoning, brought Brown
> at last to a tolerable compliance with the church of Eng-
land ; and having dismissed him, the lord treasurer Burgh-
ley sent him to his father in the country, with a letter to
recommend hint to his favour and countenance, but from

BROWN, IIS

dnothet iettef of the Idrd treasurer's, vve learn that Bfowh's*
errors had sunk so deep as not to be so easily rooted out i.4
was imagined'; and that he soon relapsed iftto his former opi-
nions, knd shewed himself so incorrigible; that his good old
father resolved to own him for his son no longer than his son
owned the church of England for his mother \ and Brown
chusiug rather to part with his aged sire than his n&W schism i
he was discharged the family. When gentleness was fdiind
ineffectual, severity was next practised ; and Brown, aftef
wandering up and down, and enduring great hardships, at
length went to live at Northampton, where, industriously
labouring to promote his Sect* Lindsell, bishop of Peterbo-
rough, sent him a citation to come before him, which Brown
refused to obey; for which contempt he was excommuni-
cated. This proved the means of his reformation ; for he waff
so deeply affected with the solemnity of this censure; that
he made his submission, moved for absolution, and received
it ; and from that time continued in the communion of the
church, though it Was not in his power to close the chasm,
or heal the wound he had made in it. It was towards the*
year 1590 that Brown renounced his principles of separa-
tion, and Was soon after preferred to the rectory of
Achurch, near Thrapston in Northamptonshire. Fuller
does not believe that Brown ever formally recanted his1
opinions, either by word or writing, as to the main point*
of his doctrine ; but that his promise of a general compli-
ance with the church of England, improved by the coun-
tenance of his patron and kinsman, the earl of Exeter, pre-
vailed upon the archbishop, and procured this extraor-
dinary favour for him. He adds, that Brown allowed £
salary for one to discharge his cure ; and though he op-
posed his parishioners in judgment, yet agreed in taking
their tithes. He was a man of good parts and some learn-
ing, but was imperious and uncontroulable ; and so far
from the Sabbatarian strictness afterwards espdtfsed by
tome of his followers, that he led an idle and dissolute life.
In a word, says Fuller, he had a wife with whom he never
lived, and a church in which he never preached, though
hexeceived the profits thereof: and as all the other scenes
of his life were stormy and turbulent, so was his end : fot
the constable of his parish requiring, somewhat roughly^
the payment of certain rates, his passion qtoved him to
blows, of. which the constable complaining to justice St -
John, he rather inclined to pity than punish him but
.Vol, VII. I

114 B R O W N.

Brown behaved with so much insolence, that be Wis sent
to Northampton gaol on a feather-bed in a cart, being
very infirm, and aged above eighty years, where he soon
after sickened and died, anno 1630, after boasting, " That
he had been committed to thirty-two prisons, in some . o£
which he could not see his hand at noon-day ." He was
buried in his church of Achurch in Northamptonshire.

Those who are acquainted with the tenets and practice*
of some modern sects, will easily recognize in Brown their
founder. The Brownists equally condemned episcopacy
and presbytery, as to the jurisdiction of consistories,
classes, and synods; andj would not join with any other re-
formed church, because they were not sufficiently assured,
of the sanctity and probity of its members, holding it an
impiety to communicate with sinners. Their form of
church-government was democraticaL ' Such as desired to
be members of their church made a confession of their
faith, and signed a covenant obliging themselves to walk,
together in the order of the gospel. The whole power of
admitting and excluding members, with the decision of all.
controversies, was lodged in the brotherhood. Their
church officers for preaching the word, and taking care of
the poor, were chosen from among themselves, and sepa*
rated to their several offices by fasting, prayer, and im-
position of hands from some of the brethren. They did
not allow the priesthood to be any distinct order, or to
give any indelible character ; but as the vote of the brother-
hood made a man a minister, and gave authority to preach
the word and administer the sacraments among them ; so
the same power could discharge hitn from his office, and
reduce him to a mere layman again. As they maintained
the bounds of a church to be no greater than what would
contain as many as could meet together in one place, and
join in one communion, so the power of their officers was
prescribed within the same limits. The minister or pastor
of a church could not administer the eucharist or baptism
to the children of any but those of his own society. A lay
brother was allowed the liberty of giving a word of exhor-
tation to the people ; and it was usual for some of them,
after sermon, to ask questions, and reason upon the doc
twines that bad been preached. Until the civil war, they
were much discouraged in England ; but upon the ruin of
episcopaoy, they quitted Holland, and came over to England,
where they began to form churches on their peculiar

■* *

H R O W N. Hi

\

, — *• » . ' *

model /The Presbyterians complained of this as an en-
eroachifient, and insisted that the Independents should
come under the Scotch regulation; This the latter refused
to comply with, and continued a distinct sect, or faction }
and, during the civil wars, became the most powerful
party ; and getting to the head of affairs, most of thg
other sects, which were averse to the Church of England*
joined with them* and all of them yielded to lose their
former names, in the general one df Independents.

The chief of Brown's works is a small thin quarto, printed
at Middleburgh in 1 582, containing three pieces. The titlg
of the first is, " A Treatise of Reformation without tarrying
for any* and of the wickedness of those preachers who will
not reform themselves ajid their charge, because they will
tarry till the magistrate command and compel them. By
me, Robert Brown." " A Treatise upon the 23d chapter
Of St Matthew* both for an order of studying and hand-
ling the scriptures, and also for avoiding the popish disor-
ders, and ungodly communion* of all false Christians, and
especially of wicked preachers and hirelings." The title
of the third piece is* " A book which sheweth the life and
manners of all true Christians, and how unlike they are unto
Turks and papists, and heathen folk. Also the points and
parts of all divinity, that is* of the revealed will and word
of God, are declared by their several definitions and divi-
sions.*7 *

BROWN (TttOMAs), of facetious memory, as Mr. Ad*
dison says of him, was the son of a considerable farmer o(
ShifTnal in Shropshire* and educated at Newport-school in
that county ; from whence he was removed to Christ*
church in Oxford* where he soon distinguished himself bf
his uncommon attainments in literature. He had great
parts and quickness of apprehension, nor does it appear
that he was wanting in application ; for we are told, that
he was very well skilled in the Latin, Greek* French*
Italian, and Spanish languages* even before he was sent to
Oxford. The irregularities of his life did not suffer him
however to continue long at the university; but when
obliged to quit it, instead of returning home to his father*
he formed a scheme of going to London* in hopes of mak*
ing ids fortune some way or other there. This scheme did
oot answer. He was very soon in danger of starving ; upon

* Bk>g. Brit— Fuller'! and Collier's Ecd. Histories.— -Bfoaheim's dkto.<ft
deal's PucKa**— Strype't Parker, p. 326.~Strype,i WhitfiVp* 32&

12

U6 BROWN.

•

which he made interest to be schoolmaster of Kingston
upon Thames, in which pursuit he succeeded But this
was a profession very unsuitable to a man of Mi*. Brown's
turn, and a situation that must needs have been extremely
disagreeable to him ; and therefore we cannot wonder,
that be. soon quitted his school, and went again to London ;
where finding his old companions more delighted with his
humour, than ready to relieve his necessities, he had re-
course to his pen, and became an author, and partly a li-
beller, by profession. He published a great variety of
pieces, under the names of dialogues, letters, poems, &Cw
in all which he discovered no small erudition, and a vast
and exuberant vein of humour : for he was in his writings,
as in his conversation, always lively and facetious. In the
mean time he made no other advantage of these produc*
tions, than what he derived from the booksellers; for
though they raised his reputation, and made his company
sought after, yet as he possessed less of the gentleman
than wits usually do, and more of the scholar, so he was
not apt to choose his acquaintance by interest, but was
more solicitous to be recommended to the ingenious who
might admire, than to the great who might relieve him.
An anonymous author, who has given the world some ac-
count of Mr. Brown, says, that though a good-natured
man, he had one pernicious quality, which was, rather to
lose his friend than his joke. He had a particular genius
for satire, and dealt it out liberally whenever he could find
occasion* He is famed for being the author of a libel,
fixed one Sunday morning on the doors of Westminster-
abbey ; and of many others against the clergy and quality*
He used to treat religion very lightly, and would often
say, that he understood the world better, than to have the
imputation of righteousness laid to his charge, yet, upon
the approach of death, his heart misgave him, as if all was
not right within, and he began to express sentiments of
remorse for his past life.

Towards the latter end of Brown's life, we are informed
by Mr. Jacob, that he was in favour with the earl of Dor*
set, who invited him to dinner on a Christmas-day, with
Dryden, and some other men of genius ; when Brown, to
jii£ agreeable surprise, found a bank note of 50/. under his
plate ; and Dryden at the same time was presented with
another of 100/. Brown died in 1704, and was interred
in the cloister of Westminster-abbey, near the remains of

,

BROWN. 117

. Mrs. Behn, with whom he was intimate in his life-time.
His whole works were printed in 1707,, consisting of dia-
logues, essays, declamations, satires, letters from the dead
to the living, translations, amusements, &c. in 4 vols. Much
humour and not a little learning are, as we have already-
observed, scattered every where throughout them, but
they are totally destitute of delicacy, and have not been
reprinted for many years. Dr. Johnson, in his Life of

, Dryden, very justly says that " Brown was not a man de-
ficient in literature, nor destitute of fancy ; but he seems to
have thought it the pinnacle of excellence to be a ' merry
fellow ;' and therefore laid out his powers upon small jests
or gross buffoonery, so that his performances have little
intrinsic value, and were read only while they were recom-
mended by the novelty of the event that occasioned them.
What sense or knowledge his works contain is disgraced
by the garb in which it is exhibited/' *

BROWN (Ulysses Maximilian de), a celebrated gene-
r^l of the eighteenth century, was the son of Ulysses, baron
de Brown, colonel of a regiment of cuirassiers in the ser-

. vice of the emperors Leopold and Joseph, created in
1716, by the emperor Charles VI. a count of the holy Ro-
man empire, his younger brother George receiving the
like dignity at the same time, who was general of foot,
counsellor of war, and a colonel of a regiment of infantry,
under Charles VI. They were of an ancient and noble
family in Ireland. The subject of the present memoir
was born at Basle, Oct. 24, 1705. After having passed
through the lessons of a school at Limerick in Ireland, he
was called to Hungary at ten years of age, by count
George de Brown, his uncle, and was present at the fa-
mous siege of Belgrade in 1717; about the close of the
year 1723, he became captain in his uncle's regiment, and
then lieutenant-colonel in 1725. He went to the island of
Corsica in 1730, with a battalion of his regiment, and con*
tributed greatly to the capture of Callansana, where he
received a wound of some consequence in his thigh. He
was appointed chamberlain to the emperor in 1732, and
colonel in 1734. He distinguished himself in the war of
Italy, especially in the battles of Parma and Guastalla,
and burnt, in presence of the French army, the bridge
which the marechal de Moailles had thrown across the

I Cftber's Live*, *©L III,— Atk. Ox. to). ll.—Bieg. JDnuMtifa.

Hi BR O W tf,

Adige. Being appointed general in 1736, he favoured,
the year following, the retreat of the army, by a judicious
manoeuvre, and saved all the baggage at the memorable
day of Banjaluca in Bosnia, Aug. 3, 1737. This signal
piece of service procured him a second regiment of infan-
try, vacant by the death of count Francis de Wallis. On
his return to Vienna in 1739, the emperor Charles Vh
raised him to the dignity of general-fieUUraarechal-lieute-
nant, and gave him a seat in the Aulic council of war*
After the dea.th of that prince, the fyng of Prussia having
entered Silesia, count de Brown, with but a small body of
troops, disputed with him every foot of ground for the
space of two months. He commanded in 1741 the infan-
try of the right wing of the Austrian *rmy at the battle of
Molvitz ; and, though wounded, made a handsome retreat.
He then went into Bavaria, where he commanded the van
of the same army, made himself master of Deckendorf, and
took much of the enemy's baggage, and forced the French
to quit the banks of the Danube, which the Austrian arm j
afterwards passed in perfect safety ; * in commemoration of
wfciqh, a marble pillar was erected on the spot, with the
following inscription ; « Theresise Austriacse August® Duce
Exercitus Ca,rolo Alexandrp Lotharingico, septemdecim
superatis hostilibus. Villis, captoque Deckendorfio, reni-
tentibus undis, resistentibus Gallis, Duce Exercitus Iah
dovico Borbonio Contio, transivit hie Danubium Ulysses
Maximilianus, S. H, I. Cornea de Brown, Lqcumtenens,
Campi Marashallus, Die 5° Junii, A. IX 1743" The queen
of Hungary sent him the same year to Worms, in quality
of her plenipotentiary to the king of Great Britain : where
he put the finishing hand to the treaty of alliance be-
tween the courts of Vienna, London, and Turin, and she
declared him her actual privy counsellor at her coronation
qf Bohemia. The count de Brown, in 1744, followed
prince Lobkovitz into Italy, took the city of Veletri the
4th of August, notwithstanding the great superiority of the
enemy in numbers, penetrated into their camp, defeated
several regiments, and took a great many prisoners. Being
recalled to Bavaria, he performed several military exploits,
and returned to Italy in 1746. He drove the Spaniards
out of the Milanese ; and, having joined the army of the
prince de Lichtenstein, he commanded the left wing of
the Austrian troops at the battle of Placentia, the 1 5th of
June 1746; and routed the right wing of the enemy's

BROWN. U9

army, commanded by the marecbal 4e Maillebois. After
this famous battle, the gaining of which was due to him, he
commanded in chief the army ordered against the Genoese,
made himself master of the pass of la Bochetta, though
defended by 4000 men, and took possession of the city of
Genoa. Count Brown then went to join the troops of the
king of Sardinia, and, in conjunction with him, took Mont-
albano and the territory of Nice. He passed the Var the
30th of November, in opposition to the French troops*,
entered Provence, and captured the isles of Saint-Margue-
rite and Saint- Honorat. He had nearly made himself
master of all Provence, when the revolution at Genoa and
the army of the marechal de Belleisle obliged him to make
that fine retreat which acquired him the admiration of all
good judges of military tactics. He employed the rest of
the year 1747 in defending the states of the house of
Austria in Italy. The empress-queen of Hungary, in re*
ward of his signal campaigns in Italy, made him governor
of Transylvania in 1749. In 1752 he had the government
of the city of Prague, with the general command of the
troops of that kingdom*; and the king of Poland, elector
of Saxony, honoured him in 1755 with the order of the
white eagle. The king of Prussia having invaded Saxony
in 1756, and attacked Bohemia, count Brown marched
against him ; he repulsed that prince at the battle of Lo-
bositz the 1st of October, although he had but 126,800
men, and the king of Prussia was at the head of at least
40,000. Within a week after this engagement, he under-
took that celebrated march into Saxony, for delivering the
Saxon troops shut up between Pirna and Konigstein :
an action worthy of the greatest general whether ancient or
modern. He afterwards obliged the Prussians to retreat
from Bohemia ; for which service he obtained the , collar
of the golden fleece* with which he was honoured by
the empress March 6, 1757. Shortly after this count
Brown went into Bohemia, where he raised troops with the
utmost expedition, in order to make head against the king
of Prussia, who had entered it afresh at the head of his
whole army. On May 6th was fought the famous battle of
Potshernitz, or of Prague, when count Brown was dan-
gerously wounded. Obliged to retire to Prague, he there
died of his wounds, the 26th of June. 1757, at the age of
52. The count was not only a great general, be wa* in

J9P BROW N.

equally able negotiator, and well skilled in politics. H$
married, Aug. 15, 1726, Maria Pbilippina countess of Mar>
jinjtz, of an illustrious and anqient family in Bohemia, by
whom he had two sons. The life pf this e^cgllent con>r
mander was published in two separate volumes, one in
(jrerman, the other in French, printed at Prague in 1757.?
BROWNE (Sja AtfTtfONY), an English judge, the son
of sir We$tpn Browne of Abbess-roding in Essex, was bora
in tl*at pounty, and educated for sonie time at Oxford,
wheqce he removed to the Middle Temple, where he be*
came eminent in the law, and was chosen sunixner reader
•in Jhe first of qupen Mary, 1553. The following year he
was made serjeant at law, and was the first of the call.
Soon after he w$s appointed serjeant to the king and que£0,
Philip and Mary. In 1558, he was preferred to be lgrd
pbief justice of the common pleas ; but removed upon
que^n Dory's decease, to majse way for sir James Dyer,
for thqugh a Roman catholic, and queen Elizabeth might
pot chusp lie shou]4 preside in (bat eourt, she had such an,
opinion of Jiis talents, that he vyas permitted to retain the
situation pf puisne op the bench as long as he 1 jvefj. It is
even said that he refused the place of lord keeper, which
w§s offered to him, wheri the queen thought of removing
$}r Nicholas Bacon for being concerned in Hales's t>oo]t,
written against the Scottish line, in favour of the house of
Suffolk. This hook sir Anthony privately answered *, ox
made large collections for an answer, which Leslie, bishop
of Ross, and Morgan Philips afterwards ma.de use of, in,
the works they published in defence of the title of Mary
queen of Scots. Sir Anthony Brownp died at bis house in
the parish of South wojd in Essex, May 6, 1567. The
only works attributed to him were left in MS. : namely,
1 • " A Discourse upon certain points touching the Inheri-
tance of the flrown," mentioned already, and. 2. " A book
against Robert Pud ley, earl of Leicester," mentioned by.
Dr. Mattheyr Paterson, in his " Jerusalem and Ba\>elf"
1653, p. 587, !>ut ^ne object of which we are unacquainted
yath. Plowden sajs of sir Anthony, that he was <c a,
judge of profoqn4 genius, and great eloquence." %t

* There seems some mistake here, sir Nicholas Bacon got possession of
or at least a want of accuracy in Dodd, sir A. Browne's book, and wrotg' an,
p/ Wood. It is said by the latter that answer to it.

} J/ifo •« above. ' • Wood's Ath. vqL J^Etodd's ph. Hist. ?ol. I,

j' •»•'*-■'

BROWNE. , 121

BROWNE (Edward), an eminent physician, son of sir
Thomas Browne, hereafter mentioned, was born about
1642. He was instructed in grammar learning at the
school of Norwich, and in 1665 took the degree of bache-
lor of physic at Cambridge. Removing afterwards to Mer*
ton college, Oxford, he was admitted there to the same
degree in 1666, and the next year created doctor. In
1668, he visited part of Germany, and the year following
made a wider excursion into Austria, Hungary, and Thes~
saly, where the Turkish sultan then kept his court at La*
rissa. He afterwards passed through Italy. Upon his re-
turn, he practised physic in London ; was made physician
first to Charles II. and afterwards in 1682 to St Bartholo-
mew's hospital. About the same time he joined his name
to those of many other eminent men, in a translation of
Plutarch's Liv\es. He was first censor, then elect, and trea-
surer of the college of physicians; of which in 1705 he
was chosen president, and held this office till his death,
which happened in August 1708, after a very short illness,
at his seat at Northfleet, near Greenhithe in Kent. He
was acquainted with Hebrew, was a critic in Greek, and
po man of his age wrote better Latin. German, Italian,
French, &c. he spoke and wrote with as much ease as his
mother tongue. Physic was his business, and to the pro-
motion thereof all his other acquisitions were referred.
Botany, pharmacy, and chemistry, he knew and practised.
King Charles said of him, that " he was as learned as any
of the college, and as well-bred as any at court." He was
married, and left a son and a daughter ; the former, Dr.
Thomas Browne, F. R. S. and of the royal college of phy-
sicians, died in July 1710. The daughter married Owen
Brigstock, of Lechdenny, in the county of Carmarthen,
esq. to whom the public is indebted for part of the post-
humous works of sir Thomas Browne.

Dr. Browne, on his return from his travels, published an
account of some part of them, and after his second tour,
added another volume, 1677, 4to. In 1685, he published
a new edition of the whole, with many corrections and im-
provements, a work extravagantly and absurdly praised in
the Biographia Britannica. His travels yield some infor-
mation to naturalists, but little to the philosophical or
common reader.1

* Slog . Brit— Johnson's I*ife of sir T. Browne.

122 BROWNE*

BROWNE (George), the first bishop that embraced
and promoted the Reformation in Ireland, was originally
an Austin friar of London. He received his academical
education in the house of his order, near Halywell, in
Oxford, and becoming eminent for his learning and other
good qualities, was made provincial of the Austin monks
in England. In 1523 be supplicated the university for the
degree of B. D. but it does not appear that he was then
admitted. He took afterwards the degree of D. D. in some
university beyond sea, and was incorporated in the same
degree at Oxford, in 1534, and soon after at Cambridge.
Before that time, having read some of Luther's writings,
he took a liking to his doctrine ; and, among other things,
was wont to inculcate into the people, " That they should
make their applications solely to Christ, and not to the
Virgin Mary, or the saints." King Henry VIII. being in*
formed of this, took him into his favour, and promoted
him to the archbishopric of Dublin, to which he was con-
secrated March 19, 1534-5, by Cranmer, archbishop of
Canterbury, assisted by the bishops of Rochester and Sa-
. lisbury. A few months after his arrival in Ireland, the
lord privy-seal, Cromwell, signified to him that bis ma-
jesty having renounced the Papal supremacy in England,
it was his highness' s pleasure that his subjects of Ireland
should obey his commands in that respect as in. England,
and nominated him one of the commissioners for the exe-
cution thereof. On November 28, 1535, he acquainted
the lord Cromwell with his success; telling him that be
had " endeavoured, almost to the danger and hazard of
his life, to procure the nobility and gentry of the Irish
nation to due obedience, in owning the king their supreme
head, as well spiritual as temporal." In the parliament
which met at Dublin, May 1, 1536, he was very instru-
mental in having the Act for. the king's supremacy over
the church of Ireland passed ; but he met with many ob-
stacles in the execution of it ; and the court of Rome used
every effort to prevent any alterations in Ireland with regard
to religious matters ; for this purpose the pope sent over a
boll of excommunication against all such as bad owned, or
should own, the king's supremacy within that kingdom, and
the form of an oath of obedience to be taken to his hotines*
at confessions. Endeavours were even used to raise a re*
bellion there ; for one Thady 6 Birne, a Franciscan friar,
being seized by archbishop Browne's order, letters were

BROWNE, 12*

found about bim, from the pope and cardinals to O'Neal ;
in which, after commending his own and his father's faith-
fulness to the church of Rome, be was exhorted " for the
glory of the mother church, the honour of St. Peter, and
Eis own security, to suppress heresie, and his holiness's
enemies." And the council of cardinals thought fit to en*
courage his country, as a sacred island, being certain
while mother church had a son of worth as himself, and
those that should succour him and join therein, she would
never fall, but have more or less a holding in Britain in
spite of fyte. In pursuance of this letter, O'Neal began
to declare himself the champion of Popery; and having
entered into a; confederacy with others, they jointly in-
vaded the Pale, and committed several ravages, but were
soon after quelled. About the time that king Henry VIII.
began to suppress the monasteries in England and Ireland;
archbishop Browne completed his design of removing all
superstitious reliques and images out of the two cathedrals
pf St. Patrick's and the Holy Trinity, in Dublin, and out
of the rest of the churches within his diocese, and in their
room placed the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten
Commandments in gold letters. And in 1541, the king
having converted the priory of the Holy Trinity into a
cathedral church, consisting of a dean and chapter, our
archbishop founded three prebends in the same in 1544,
namely, St. Michael's, St. John's, and St. Michan's, from
which time it has generally been known by the name of
Christ-church. King Edward VI. having caused the Li-
turgy to be published in English, sent an order to sir An-
thony St, Leger, governor of Ireland, dated February 6,
1550-1) to notify to all the clergy of that kingdom, that
they should use this book in all their churches, and the
Bible in the vulgar tongue. When sir Anthony imparted *
this order to the clergy (on the 1st of March), it was ve-
hemently opposed by the Popish party, especially by
George Dowdall, primate of Armagh, but archbishop
Browne received it with the utmost satisfaction ; and on
Easter-day following the Liturgy was read, for the first time
within Ireland, in Christ -church, Dublin, in presence of the
mayor and bailiffs of that city, the lord deputy St Leger,
archbishop' Browne, &c. On this occasion the archbishop
preached a sermon against keeping the Scriptures in the
Latin tongue, and the worship of images, which is printed
at the end of his life, and is the only part of his writing*

it* BROWNE.

*

extant, except the letters mentioned above *. But Dow*
dall, in consequence of his violent and unseasonable oppo-
sition to the king's order, was deprived of the title of
primate of all Ireland, which, by letters patent bearing
date the 20th of October, 1551, was conferred on arch-
bishop Browne, and his successors in the see of Dublin
for ever. However^ he did not long enjoy this dignity,
for he was deprived both of it and his archbishopric in

' 1554, the first of queen Mary I. under pretence that he
was married, but in truth because he had zealously pro-
moted the Reformation ; and archbishop Dowdall, who bad
lived in exile during part of the reign of king Edward VI.
recovered the title of primate, and also the archbishopric
of Armagh, which had been given to Hugh Goodacre.
While archbishop Browne enjoyed the see of Dublin, the
cathedral of St. Patrick's was suppressed for about the
space of eight years ; but queen Mary restored it to its
ancient dignity, towards the end of the year 1554. The
exact time of archbishop Browne's death is not recorded ; .
only we are told that he died about the year 1556. He
was a man, says Usher, of a cheerful countenance ; meek
and peaceable : in his acts and deeds plain and downright ;
of good parts, and very stirring in what he judged to be
for the interest of religion, or the service of his king; mer-
ciful and compassionate to the poor and miserable ; and
adorned with every good and valuable qualification. 9

BROWNE (Joseph), D.D. provost of Queen's-college,
Oxford, was born at a place called the Tongue, in Water-
millock, Cumberland, in 1700, and was baptised Dec. 19,
of that year. . His father, George Browne, was a repu-*
table yeoman, who was enabled to give his son a classical
education at Barton school, and afterwards sent him to

• Queen's-college, where he was admitted a member March
22, 1716-17. Here his good behaviour and rapid pro-
gress in knowledge, procured him many friends that were
of great service to him. In due time he was elected ta-
berdar upon the foundation; and having gone through

* In this sermon, speaking of the They shall hare no resting-place upon

Jesuits, archbishop Browne says: " God earth, and a Jew shall have mere fa*

shall suddenly cot off this society, even your than a Jesuit." This has not

by the band of those who have most escaped that acute biographer, rev. R.

suoqoured them, so that at the end Churton, " Lives of the Founders,"

tbey shall become odious to all nations, p. 77.

1 Biog. Brit. — Life and* Sermon in Phenix, vol. I,— Harleian Miscellany,—
Strype's Cranmcr, p. 37, 27*.— Ath. Ox, vol. L

BROWNE 12*

that office with honour, he took the degree of M. A. Nov.
4th, 1724, and was chosen one of the chaplains of the
college. In 1726 he published, from the university press,
a most beautiful edition of cardinal Barberini's Latin
poems, with notes and a life of the author, (who was after-
wards pope Urban VIII.) and a dedication to his friencf
Edward Hassel, esq. of Dalemajn, his friend and patron.
In April 1731, he was elected fellow, and became an
eminent tutor, having several young noblemen of the first
rank intrusted to bis care. In this useful and important
station he continued many years, exercising strict dis-
cipline) and assiduously studying to promote the pros-
perity of the college. He took the degree of D. D. July
9, 1743, and was presented by the provost and society to
the rectory of Bramshot, in Hampshire, May 1, 1746.
The university also conferred upon him the professorship
of natural philosophy in 1747, which be held till his death.
At his living at Bramshot, he resided more than ten years,
during which time he was collated to the chancellorship of
Hereford, and was made a canon-residentiary by the right
rev. lord James Beauclerk, bishop of that diocese, who
had formerly been his pupil.

Upon the death of Dr. Smith, provost of Queen's, Nov.
23, 1756, Dr. Browne offered himself a candidate for the
headship, and had for his formidable competitor, Dr.
George Fothergill, principal of Edmund-hall, who had
likewise been fellow of the college, an eminent tutor, and
a person universally esteemed. The election lasted three
days, and each candidate having upon every day's scrutiny
an equality of votes, both among the senior and junior
fellows, Dr. Browne being the senior candidate, was, as
the statute directs, declared duly elected. This contest,
however, made no disagreement between the two com*
petitors ; they lived in the same harmony and friendship
as before. In 1759, Dr. Browne was appointed vice-
chancellor, which arduous office, together with that of his
headship, he managed with great prudence and ability,
till March 25, 1765, when a stroke of the palsy rendered
him utterly incapable of business. Under this calamity
he languished till June .17, 1767, when he died, leaving
the character of being a well-bred man, a polite as well as,
a profound scholar, an agreeable companion, and a steady
friend. There was a gravity and authority in his looks and
deportment, that reflected dignity upon the offices he sus-

126 B R O W NE,-

tained. He continued vice-chancellor an unusual length
of time, and presided at the memorable Encoenia when the
earl of Litchfield was installed. It is said that his death
prevented bis being advanced to one of the first vacancies
on the episcopal bench. l

BROWNE (Isaac Hawkins), esq. F. R. S. and a very
ingenious and elegant poet of the last century, was born
at Burton-upon -Trent, January 21, 1705-6 ; and was the
son of the rev. William Browne, minister of that parish,
where be chiefly resided, vicar of Winge, in Buckings
hamshire, and a prebendary of Litchfield, which last pre-*
ferment was given him by the excellent bishop Hough;
He was possessed, also, of a small paternal inheritance,
which he greatly increased by his marriage with Anne,
daughter of Isaac Hawkins, esq. all whose estate, at length,
came to his only grandson and heir-at-law, the subject of
this article. Our author received his grammatical edu-
cation, first at Litchfield, and then at Westminster, where
he was much distinguished for the brilliancy of bis parts,
and the steadiness of his application. The uncommon
rapidity with which he passed through the several forms
or classes of Westminster school, attracted the notice, and
soon brought him under the direction of the head master,
Dr. Freind, with whom he was a peculiar favourite. Mr.
Browne stayed above a year in the sixth, or head form,
with a view of confirming and improving his taste for clas-
sical learning and composition, under so polite and able
a scholar. When he was little more than sixteen years of
age, he was removed to Trinity-college, Cambridge, of
which college his father had been fellow. He remained
at the university till he had taken his degree of M. A. and
though during his residence there he continued his taste
for classical literature, which through his whole life was
his principal object and pursuit, he did not omit the pe-
culiar studies of the place, but applied himself with vigour
and success to all the branches of mathematical science,'
and the principles of the Newtonian philosophy. When
in May 1724, king George the First established at botlt
universities, a foundation for the study of modern history
and languages, with the design of qualifying young men
for employments at court, arid foreign embassies, Mr.
Browne was among the earliest of those who were selected

* Hf}tabmfon'& Hist, gf Curaberltnd, vol. I. p. 42S.

BROWNE. I2t

la be scholar! upon this foundation. On the death of that
prince, he wrote an university copy of verses, which was
the first of his poems that had been printed, and was much
admired. About the year 1727, Mr. Browne, who had
been always intended for the bar, settled at Lincoln's-inn.
Here he prosecuted, for several years, with great attention,
the study of the law, and acquired in it a considerable
degree of professional knowledge, though he never arrived
to any eminence in the practice of it, and entirely gave it
up long before his death. He was the less solicitous about
the practice of his profession, and it Was of the less con-
sequence to him, as he was possessed of a fortune ade-
quate to his desires ; which, by preserving the happy mean
between extravagance and avarice, he neither diminished
nor increased.

Mr. Browne's application to the law did not prevent his
occasionally indulging himself in the exercise of his poeti-
cal talents. It was not long after his settlement at Lin-
coln Vina that he wrote his poem on " Design and Beauty,"
addressed to Highmore the painter, for whom he had a
great friendship. In this, one of the longest of his poems,
he shews an extensive knowledge of the Platonic philo-
sophy ; and pursues, through the whole, the idea of beauty
advanced by that philosophy. By design is here meant,*
in a large and extensive sense, that power of genius which
enables the real artist to collect together his scattered
ideas, to range them in proper order, and to form a re-
gular plan before he attempts to exhibit any work in ar-
chitecture, painting, or poetry. He wrote several other
poetical pieces during the interval between his fixing at
Lincoln's-inn and his marriage ; one of the most pleasing
and popular of which was his " Pipe of Tobacco," an
imitation of Cibber, Ambrose Philips, Thomson, Young,
Pope, and Swift, who were then all living ; the peculiar
manner of these several writers is admirably hit off by our
author, who evidently possessed an excellent imitative ge-
nius. Indeed, nothing but a nice spirit of discrimination,
and a happy talent at various composition, could have en-
abled him to have succeeded so well as he hath done in
the " Pipe of Tobacco." The imitation of Ambrose Philips
was not written by our poet, but by an ingenious friend,
the late Dr. John Hoadly, chancellor of the diocese of
Winchester, and second son of the bishop. Dr. Hoadly,
however, acknowledged that his little imitation was altered

128 BROWNE.

so much for the better by Mr. Browne, that he fairly mad*
it his own.

On the 10th of February 1743-4, Mr. Browne married
Jane, daughter of the rev. Dr. David Trimnell, archdea-
con of Leicester, and precentor of Lincoln, and niece to?
the right rev. Dr. Charles Trimnell, bishop of Winchester,'
a woman of great merit, and of a very amiable temper.
He was chosen twice to serve in parliament ; first upon a
vacancy in December 1744, and then at the general elec-
tion in 1748, for the borough of Wenlock in Shropshire,
near to which his estate lay. This was principally owing
to the interest of William Forester, esq. a gentleman of
great fortune and ancient family in Shropshire, who re-
commended Mr. Browne to the electors, from the opinion
he entertained of his abilities, and the confidence he had
in his integrity and principles. As Mr. Browne had ob-
tained his seat in parliament without opposition or ex-
pence, and without laying himself under obligations to
any party, he never made use of it to interested or ambi««
tious purposes. The principles, indeed, in which he had
been educated, and which were confirmed by reading and
experience, and the good opinion he had conceived of
Mr. Pelham's administration, led him usually to support
£he measures of government ; but he never received any
favour, nor desired any employment. He saw with great
concern the dangers arising from parliamentary influence/
and was determined that no personal consideration should
biass his public conduct. The love of his country, and an
ardent zeal for its constitution and liberties, formed a
distinguishing part of his character. In private conver-
sation, Mr. Browne possessed so uncommon a degree of
eloquence, that he was the admiration and delight of all
who knew him. It must, therefore, have been expected
that he should have shone in the house of commons, as a
public speaker. But be had a modesty and delicacy about
him, accompanied with a kind of nervous timidity, which
prevented him from appearing in that character. His case,'
in this respect, was similar to that of the third earl of
Shaftesbury, Mr. Addison, and other ingenious men. Dr.
Johnson said of him, " I. H. Browne, one of the first wits
of this country, got into parliament, and never opened his*
mouth."

In 1754 Mr. Browne published what may be called hia*
great work, his Latin poem " De Animi Immortalitate,

»

BROWNE. 129 \

H

in two books, the reception of which was such as its merit I

deserved. It immediately excited the applause of the most
polite scholars, and has been praised by some of the most
eminent and ingenious men of the age, by archbishop
Herring, Dr. E. Barnard, R. O. Cambridge, Mr. Upton,
bishop Hoadly, bishop Green, Mr. Harris, Dr. Beattie,
&c. &c. Its popularity was so great, that several English
translations of it appeared in a little time. The first was
by Mr.. Hay, author of an (t Essay on Deformity,*' and ■
other pieces ; and the second in blank verse, by Dr. Ri-
chard Grey, a learned clergyman, well known by his "Me-
moria Technics," and his publications in scripture criti-
cism. A third translation was published without a name,
but with a laboured preface, containing some quotations
from sir John Davies's " Nosce Teipsum," which were
supposed to be analogous to certain passages in Mr. Browne.
All these versions made their appearance in the course of
a- few months ; and there was afterwards printed, by am
unknown hand, a translation of the first book. Some years
after Mr. Browne's death, the " De Animi Immortalitate"
was again translated by the rev. Mr. Crawley, a clergyman
in Huntingdonshire* and more recently Dr. John Lettice,
published a translation in blank verse, with a commentary
and annotations, 1795, 8vo: A close and literal version
of it in prose was inserted by Mr. Highmore the painter
in his publication which appeared in 1766, entitled " Es-
says moral, religious, and miscellaneous." But the best
translation is that by Soame Jenyns, esq. printed in his
Miscellanies, and since published in Mr. Browne's poems.
These testimonies and attentions paid to our ingenious
author's principal production, are striking evidences of the
high sense which was justly entertained of its merit. Not
to mention the usefulness and importance of the subject,
every man of taste must feel that the poem is admirable
for its perspicuity, precision, and order; and that it unite*
the philosophical learning and elegance of Cicero, with
the numbers, and much of the poetry, of Lucretius and
Virgil. Mr. Browne intended to have added a third book.
In these three books he proposed to carry natural religion
as far as it would go, and in so doing, to lay the true
foundation of Christianity, of which he was a firm believer.
But he went no farther than to leave a fragment of the
third book, enough to make us lament that he did not
complete the whole.
Vol. VII. K

130 B R O W N E.

Though Mr. Browne was bred to a profession, and sat
several years in parliament, he was not so shining or dis-
tinguished a character in public as in private life*. His
private life was chiefly divided between his books and his
friends. His reading took in a large compass; but he had
the greatest delight in the Greek and Roman writers. Few
men formed so early and lasting a taste, and acquired so
familiar a knowledge of the ancient poets, philosophers,
orators, and historians, particularly those of the purest
ages ; and hence it was that he derived the happy art of
transfusing into the more serious of his compositions, the
graces of their diction, and the strength of their sentiments,
without servile imitation. He was very conversant like-
wise with the best English and Italian authors. His me-

i •
mory enabled him to retain every thing which he had heard

or read ; and he could repeat, with the greatest facility
and gracefulness, the fine passages he had treasured up in
his mind. Having a perfect ear for harmony and rhythm,
he was an admirable reader both of prose and verse, and
without having ever applied himself to the practice of mu-
sic, his natural taste rendered him a good judge in that
delightful art. With these various accomplishments, to
which were added, a remarkably happy talent of telling a
story, a genuine flow of wit, as well as eloquence, a pe-
culiar vein of humour, and, indeed, an excellence in every
species of conversation, it is not surprising that his com-
pany was almost universally sought for and desired. His
acquaintance was so courted, that, though his private in-
clination would have led him to have lived retired, in the
society, of a few old friends, he became, at different pe-
riods of his life, intimate with all the distinguished men
of the age, and with those especially, who were most

* The following anecdote, which was than any of us ;" at the same time re-
related by Mr. James Close, a re- questing him to favour the court with
speotable solicitor of Lincoln's-Iim, is his sentiments on the case in question,
highly honourable to Mr. Browne. Mr. Browne, having first modestly ex-
During the time that Mr. Browne at- cused himself, was prevailed upon to
tended the chancery bar, the merits of comply with the chancellor's motion,
a cause were a/gued before the lord- and spoke for an hour on the rise and
chancellor Hardwicke, the decision of tenure of gavel- kind, with great leara-
which depended upon ascertaining the ing, accuracy, and precision, and with
rights and obligations of gavel-kind, a particular application to the matter
The counsel employed on each side in hand. The chancellor thanked him
having rather perplexed than thrown much for the information himself and
light upon the subject, the lord-chan- the audience had received, and ex-
cel lor said, " There sits a gentle- pressed his concern that he had uot the
man (meaning Mr. Browne), who, pleasure of hearing him ofteuer upon
I believe, knows- more of the matter other subjects. ,

BROWNE. 131

eminent, for their learning and parliamentary abilities. His
particular friends were persons of distinguished merit and
virtue. By these he was held in the highest esteem and
respect, and his union with them was never broken by apy
thing but death. His fine feelings, his enlarged and ex-
alted sentiments, and the general excellence of his cha-
racter, continued to render any social connections with
him as lasting as they were desirable and delightful. One
great object of Mr. Browne's attention, during the latter
part of his life, was the education of his only spn, to whom
he was an excellent father and instructor. Our author,
after having laboured a considerable time under a weak and
infirm state of health, died, of a lingering illness, at his
house in Great Russel -street, Bloomsbury-square, '.Lon-
don, on the 14th of February, 1760, in the fifty-fifth year
of his age. In 1768, the present Mr. Hawkins Browne
published an elegant edition, in large octavo, of his father's
poems ; upon which occasion he had the satisfaction of
receiving fresh testimonies to their merit from many emi-
nent men then living. To this edition is prefixed a very
fine head by Ravenet from a picture by Highmore. *

BROWNE (Moses), vicar of Olney in Buckingham-
shire, and chaplain of Morden college, was born in 1703,
and was originally a pen-cutter. Early in life be distin-
guished himself by his poetical talents, and when only
twenty years of age, published a tragedy called " Polidus,'*
and a farce called " All-bedevilled," which were played
together at a private theatre in St. Alban's-street, neither
of much merit. He became afterwards a frequent contri-
butor to the Gentleman's Magazine, and carried off several
of the prizes .which Cave^ the printer and proprietor of that
Magazine, then offered for the best compositions. When
Cave published a translation of Du H aide's China, he in-
scribed the different plates to his- friends, and one to
" Moses Browne," with which familiar designation Browne
thought proper to be offended, and Cave, to pacify him,
directed the engraver to introduce Mr. wnh a caret under'
the line. In 1729, he published his "Piscatory Eclogues,"
without his name, which were reprinted in 1739, among
his " Poems on various subjects," 8vo, and again in an ex-
tended form, with notes, in 1773. For along time, how-

1 Biog. Brit communicated by his son. — BpswelPs Johnson. — Nichols, Dodg-
ley, and Pearch's Poems.— See an anecdote of one of his poems in Warburton'a
Letters, 4to edit. p. 31.

K 2

132 BROWNE.

ever, even after his abilities vfere known, he remained in
poverty, anil in 1745, when it appears be had a wife and
seven children, we find him applying to Dr. Birch for the
situation of messenger, or door-keeper, to the royal society.
In 1750, he published an edition of Walton and Cotton's
Angler, with a preface, notes, and some valuable additions,
which was republished in 1759 and 1772, and in the for-
mer year drew him into a controversy with sir John Haw-
kins, who happened to be then publishing an improved
edition of the same work. From his poems, as well a&
from the scattered observations in the " Angler," he ap-
pears to have been always of a religious turn ; and in 1752
published in verse, a series of devout contemplations, en-
titled " Sunday Thoughts," which went through a second
edition in 1764, and a third in 1781. In 1753, having
some prospect of encouragement in the church, he took
orders, and soon after his ordination was presented by the
earl of Dartmouth to the vicarage of Olney in Bucking-
hamshire, on the cession of Mr. Wolsey Johnson. In 1754
he published a sermon, preached at Olney, on Christmas
day, entitled " The Nativity and Humiliation of Jesus
Christ, practically considered*" In 1755, he published a
small quarto poem, entitled " Percy Lodge," a seat of the
duke and duchess of Somerset, written by command of
their late graces, in 1749. In what year he was presented
to the vicarage of Sutton, in Lincolnshire, we are not in-
formed ; but in 1763, he was elected to the chaplainship of
Morden college in Kent, and some time after appointed the
late rev. John Newton for his curate at Olney. In 1765 he
published a sermon " preached to the Society for the
Reformation of Manners," and a few years after, a "Visi-
tation Sermon," delivered at Stony Stratford. Besides
these, Mr. Browne is said to have published one or two po-
litical tracts ; and in 1772, a translation of a work of John
Liborius Zimmerman, entitled "The Excellency of the
knowledge of Jesus Christ," London, 12mo. He died at
Morden college, Sept. 13, 1787, aged eighty-four. His
wife died in 1783. Mr. Browne was a man of some learn-
ing and piety, but as a poet, we fear he cannot be allowed
to rank higher than among versifiers. l

BROWNE (Patrick) j M. D. a naturalist of considera-
ble eminence, the fourth son of Edward Browne, esq. a

1 Bibliographer, vol. IT. — Hawkins's Life of Johnson.-— Gent. Mag. vols.
LVII. LX1I. and JUXIV. — Nichols's Literary Anecdotes.

BROWNE. 135

gentleman of respectable family, was born at Woodstock,
the paternal inheritance, in the parish of Crossboyne, and
county of Mayo, about 1720. After receiving the best
education that country could afford, he was sent to a near
relation in the island of Antigua in 1737 ; but the climate
disagreeing very much with his constitution, he returned
in about a year to Europe, and landing in France, went
directly to Paris, where he speedily recovered bis health,
and with the approbation of his parents applied himself
closely to the study of physic, and particularly to the
science of botany, tor which he always had a particular
predilection. After five years spent at Paris, he removed
to Leyden, where he studied near two years more, and
from that university obtained his degree of M» D. — Here
he formed an intimacy with Gronovius and Muschen-
broeck, and commenced a correspondence with Linnaeus
and other eminent botanists and learned men. From Hol-
land he proceeded to London, where he practised near two
years, and thence went out again to the West Indies, and
after spending some months in Antigua and some others
of the Sugar Islands, he proceeded to Jamaica, where he
spent his time in collecting and preserving specimens of
the plants, birds, shells, &c. of those luxuriant soils, with
a view to the improvement of natural history.

Whilst in Jamaica, his residence was chiefly in King-
ston, and it was he who first pointed out the absurdity of
continuing Spanish-town the port and capital, while rea-
son plainly pointed out Kingston, or in his own words,
" the defects of a port of clearance to leeward ;" and by
his writings the governor and council represented the mat*
ter so strikingly to earl Granville, president of the council
1756, that the measure was immediately adopted, and
Kingston made the port of clearance, to the very great
benefit of commerce in general, as before that, when ships
were clearing out of Kingston, and ready' to weigh
anchor, they were obliged to send near seven miles to Spa-
nish-town, by which they often suffered great inconve-
nience and delay.

At this time he dlso collected materials, and made the
necessary observations (being a very good mathematician
and astronomer) for a new map of Jamaica, which he pub-
lished in London, in August 1755, engraved by Dr. Bayly,
gn two sheets, by which the doctor cleared four hundred
guineas. Soon after this (March 1756) he published his

134 ' BROWNE.

iS Civil and Natural History of Jamaica," in folio, orna*
merited with forty-nine engravings of natural history, a
whole sheet map of the island, and another of the harbour
of Port-Royal, Kingston-town, &c. Of this work there
were but two hundred and fifty copies printed by subscrip-
tion, at the very low price of one guinea, but a few were
sold at two pounds two shillings in sheets by the printer.
Most unfortunately all the copper-plates, as well as the
original drawings, were consumed by the great fire in
Cornhill, November 7, 1765. This alone prevented in his
life-time a second edition of that work, for which he made
considerable preparations, by many additional plants, and
a, few corrections in his several voyages to these islands,
for he was six different times in the West Indies ; in one
of those trips he lived above twelve months in the island
of Antigua : however, these observations will we trust not
be lost to the public, as he sent before his death to sir Jo-
seph Banks, P. R. S. " A catalogue of the plants growing
in the Sugar Islands, &c. classed and described according
to the Linnsean system," in 4to, containing about eighty
pages. In Exshaw's Gentleman's and London Magazine
for June 1774, he published " A catalogue of the birds of
Ireland," and in Exshaw's August Magazine following,
" A catalogue of its fish." In 1788 he prepared for the
press a very curious and useful catalogue of the plants of
the north-west counties of Ireland, classed with great. care
and accuracy according to the Linnsean system, containing
above seven hundred . plants, mostly observed by himself,
having trusted very few to the descriptions of others. This
little tract, written in Latin with the English and Irish
names, might be of considerable use in assisting to compile
a " Flora Hibernica," a work every botanist will allow to
be much wanting.

The doctor was a tall, comely man, of good address and
gentle manners, naturally cheerful, very temperate, and in
general healthy ; but in his latter years had violent pe-
riodical fits of the gout, by which he suffered greatly : in
the intervals of these unwelcome visits, he formed the
catalogue of plants, and was always, when in health, do-
ing something in natural history or mathematics. At a
very early period he married in Antigua a native of that
island, but had no issue. His circumstances were mode-
rate, but easy, and the poor found ample benefit from his
liberality as well as professional skill He died at Rush-

BROWNE, 1&5

brook, county of Mayo, on Sunday August 59, 1790, and
was interred in the family burial-place at Crossboyne. l

BROWNE (Petek), a native of Ireland, was at first
provost of Trinity college in Dublin, and afterwards bisliop
of Cork : in the palace of which see he died in 1735, after
having distinguished himself by some writings. 1. " A
refutation of Toland's Christianity not mysterious." This
was the foundation of his preferment ; which occasioned him
to say to Toland himself, that it was he who had made him
bishop of Cork. 2. " The progress, extent, and limits of
the human understanding/9 1728, 8vo. This was meant
as a supplemental work, displaying more at large the prin-
ciples on which he had confuted Toland. 3. " Sermons,"
levelled principally against the Socinians, written in a,
manly and easy style, and much admired. He published
also, 4. A little volume in 1 2mo, against the " Custom of
drinking to the memory of the dead.1' It was a fashion
among the Whigs of his time, to drink to the glorious and
immortal memory of king William HI. which greatly dis-
gusted our bishop, and is supposed to have given rise to
the piece in question. His notion was that drinking to
the dead is tantamount to praying for the dead, and not,
as is really meant, an approbation of certain conduct or
principles. The only effect, however, was that the whigs
added to their toast, — " in spite of the bishop of Cork." *

BROWNE (Simon), an able and learned minister and
writer among the protestant dissenters, and who was re-
markable for a mental disorder of a most extraordinary
kind, was born at Shepton~Mallet, in Somersetshire, about
1680. He was instructed in grammar by the rev. Mr.
Cumming, who was pastor of a congregation in that town ;
from whence he was removed to Bridgewater, and finished
his studies under the care of the rev. Mr. Moon As he
possessed uncommon parts, which had been improved by
the most assiduous application, he was very early thought
qualified for the ministry ; so that he began to preach some
time before he was twenty years of age. His talents soon
rendered him so conspicuous among the dissenters, that he
was chosen minister of a considerable qongregation at
Portsmouth, in which situation he continued some years.
In 1706, he published a small treatise, entitled " A caveat

r

•

1 Burop. Magazine, Aug. 1 795.

• Preceding edition of this Dictionary.— Orton's Letters to Stedman, rol. I,
p, 212, 213.

136

BROWNE.

against evil Company." In 1709, he published, in one
volume, 8vo, "The true character of the real Christian." He
discharged the duties of the pastoral office at Portsmouth
with so much fidelity and diligence, as procured him uni-
versal esteem; but, in 1716, he removed to the great re-
gret of his congregation, in consequence of his being in-
vited to accept of the pastoral charge of the congregation
of protestant dissenters in the Old Jewry, London, which
was- one of the most considerable in the kingdom. la
1720, he published, in one volume, 12mo, " Hymns and
Spiritual Songs, in three books." In 1722, he published
a volume of " Sermons," and about the same time a " Let-
ter to the rev. Thomas Reynolds," in which he censures
that gentleman and other dissenters for requiring of their
brethren explicit declarations of their belief in the doc*
trine of the Trinity. At the Old Jewry he continued to
preach for about seven years with the greatest reputation,
and was much beloved and esteemed by his congregation^ :
but, in 1723, a complicated domestic affliction, the loss of
his wife, and of an only son, so deeply affected him, that
be was at first in a state little different from distraction ; and
the disorder which his imagination had sustained from the
shock that he had received, at length settled into a melan-
choly of a very extraordinary nature*. He desisted from
the duties of his function, and could not be persuaded to
join in any act of worship, either public or private. He
imagined, " that Almighty God, by a singular instance of
divine power, had, in a gradual manner, annihilated in
him the thinking substance, and utterly divested him of
consciousness : that though he detained the human shape,
and the faculty of speaking, in a manner that appeared to
others rational, he had all the while no more notion of what
he said than a parrot. And, very consistently with this,

* As the cause of Browne's insanity
has been thought by some, not ade-
quate to the effect, the following story
has been revived lately: ** Mr. Browne
being on a journey with a friend, they
Mrere attacked by a highwayman, who
presented a pistol and demanded the.ir
money. Mr. B< being courageous,
strong, and active, disarmed him, and
seizing him by the collar, they both
fell to the ground, in the struggle to
. overpower him, Mr. B. at length get-
ting uppermost, placed hU knee on
the highwayman's breast, and by that

means confined him while his compa-
nion rode to town, at a distance, for
help to secure him. After a consider-
able time, he returned with assistance ;
upon which J\Ir. B. arose from off the
man to deliver him up to safe custody,
but, to bis unspeakable terror, the man
was dead." There seems but slender
foundation far the story, but supposing
it true, it will' not account much more
clearly for Mr. B.'s insanity, than the
loss of bis wife and son. Protestant
Dissenters' Magazine, vol. IV. p. 433.

BROWNE- -1ST

he looked upon himself as no longer a moral agent, a sub-
ject of reward or punishment." He continued in this per-
suasion to the end of his life, with very little variation.
Nothing grieved him more, than that he could not per-
suade others to think of bim as he thought of himself. He
sometimes considered this as questioning his veracity,
which affected bim in the most sensible manner; and he
often took pains, by the most. solemn asseverations, to re-
move such an imputation. At other times, and in a more
gloomy hour, he would represent the incredulity which was
manifested towards him, as a judicial effect of the same
divine power that had occasioned this strange alteration in
him, as if God had determined to proceed against him in
this way, and would have no application made in his be-
half. Upon this account, for a long while, he was un-
willing that any prayers should be made for him ; which,
he would say, could be warranted by nothing x but a faith
in miracles, and even refused to say grkce at table, or if.
urged to it, appeared in the greatest distress. At the be-
ginning of his disorder, he was so unhappy in himself, as
to have frequent propensities to deprive himself of life ;
but he afterwards grew more serene, and appeared to have
little or no terror upon his mind. He considered himself
as one who, though he had little to hope, had no more to
fear, and was therefore, for the most part, calm and com-
posed ; and when the conversation did not turn upon him-
self, as it was generally rational and very serious, so was
it often cheerful and pleasant. But his opinion concern-
ing himself occasionally led him into inconsistencies ; and
when these were pointed out to him, he sometimes ap-
peared much puzzled.

Whilst he was under the influence of this strange frenzy,
it was extremely remarkable, that his faculties appeared
to be in every other respect in their full vigour. He con-
tinued to apply himself to his studies, and discovered the
same force of. understanding which had formerly distin-
guished him, both in his conversation and in bis writings.
Having, however, quitted the ministry, he retired into the
country, to his native town of Shepton-Mallet. Here, for
some time, he amused himself with translating several parts
of the ancient Greek and Latin poets into English verse.
He afterwards composed several little pieces for the use of
children, an English grammar and spelling-book, an ab-
stract of the scripture-history, and a collection of fables,

138

BROWN)!.

the two last both in metre. With great labour he also
amassed together, in a short compass, all the themes of
the Greek and Latin tongues, and compiled likewise a
dictionary * to each of these works, in order to render the
learning of both those languages more easy and compen-
dious. But neither of these pieces, nor several others
which were written by him during his retirement, were
ever printed. During the last two years of his life, be*
employed himself in the defence of the truth of Christi-
anity, against some of the attacks which were then made
against it; and also in recommending mutual candour to
Christians of different sentiments concerning the doctrine
of the Trinity. In 1732, he -published, in 8vo, " A sober
and charitable disquisition concerning the importance of
the- Doctrine of the Trinity; particularly with regard to
Worship, and the doctrine of Satisfaction: endeavouring to
shew, that those in the different schemes should bear with
each other in their different sentiments; nor separate com*
munions, and cast one another out of Christian-fellowship
on this account." The same year he published, " A fit
Rebuke to a ludicrous Infidel, in some remarks on Mr.
Woolston's fifth Discourse on the Miracles of our Saviour.
With a preface concerning the prosecution of such writers
by the civil powers.'* It was in the same year also that
he published his " Defence of the Religion of Nature,
and the Christian Revelation, against the defective account
of the one, and the exceptions against the other, in a
book, entitled, Christianity as old as the Creation.9' In all
these pieces, though written in his retirement, with little
assistance from books, or learned conversation, he yet dis-
played considerable extent of knowledge, and of argu-
mentative powers. But to the last of these performances „
he prefixed a very singular dedication to queen Caroline,
expressive of the unhappy delusion under which he la-
boured ; and which his friends prudently suppressed, al-
though it is too ggeat a curiosity to be lost f.

* It is said, that a friend once call-'
ed upon him,, and asked him what He
was doing ? lie replied, " 1 am doing
nothing that requires a reasonable soul ;
I am making a dictionary: but you
know thanks should be returned to God
for every thing, and therefore for dic-
tionary-makers,"

f Dedication to queen Caroline.
Madam,

Of all the extraordinary things that
have been tendered to your royal hands,
since your first happy arrival in Bri-
tain, it may be boldly said, what now
bespeaks your majesty's acceptance is
the chief. Not in itself ipdeed : it is a

BROWNE.

139

After his retirement into the country, he could not be
prevailed upon to use any kind of exercise or recreation ;
so that a complication of disorders, contracted by his se-
dentary mode of living, at length brought on a mortifica-
tion in his leg, which put a period to his life, at the close
of the year 1732, in the fifty-second year of his age. He
had several daughters, who survived him. He was a man

trifle unworthy your exalted rank, and
what will hardly prove an entertaining
amusement to one of your majesty's
deep penetration, exact judgment, and
fine taste ; but on account of the au-
thor, who is the first being of the kind,
and yet without a name.

He. was once a man, and of some
little name; but of no worth, as his
present unparalleled case makes but
too manifest: for, by the immediate
hand of an avenging God, his very
thinking substance has for more than
seven years been continually wasting
away, till it is wholly perished out of
him, if it be not utterly come to no-
thing. None, no, not the least re-
membrance of its very ruins remains ;
not the shadow of an idea is left ; nor
any sense, so much as one single one,
perfect or imperfect, whole or dimi-
nished, ever did appear to a mind
within hi in, or was perceived by it.

Such a present from such a thing,
however worthless in itself, may not be
wholly unacceptable to your majesty,
the author being such as history can-
not parallel ; and if the fact, which is
real and no fiction or wrong conceit,
obtains credit, it must be recorded as
the mo6t memorable, and indeed asto-
nishing, event in the reign of George II.
that a tract, composed by such a thing,
was presented to the illustrious Caro-
line : his royal consort needs not be
added ; fame, if I am not misinformed,
will tell that with pleasure to all suc-
ceeding times.

He has been informed, that your
majesty's piety is as genuine and emi-
nent, as your excellent qualities are
great and conspicuous. This can in-
deed be truly knowu to the great search-
er of hearts only. He alone, who can
look into them, can discern if they are
sincere, and the main iutention corre-
sponds with the appearance ; and your
majesty cannot take it amiss if such an
author hints, that his secret approba-
tion is of infinitely greater value than

the commendation of men, who may be
easily mistaken, and are too apt to
flatter their superiors* But, if he has
been told the truth, such a case as his
will certainly strike your majesty with
astonishment ; and may raise that com-
miseration in your royal breast, which
he has in vain endeavoured to excite
in those of his friends : who, by the
most unreasonable and ill-founded con-
ceit in the world, have imagined, that
a thinking being could for seven years
together live a stranger to its own pow-
ers, exercises, operations, and state ;
and to what the great God has been
doing in it, and to it.

If your majesty, in your most re-
tired address to the king of kings,
should think of so singular a case, you
may perhaps make it your devout re-
quest, that the reign of your beloved
sovereign and consort may be renowned
to all posterity by the recovery of a
soul now in the utmost ruin, the resto-
ration of one utterly lost, at present,
amongst men. And should this case
affect your royal breast, you will re*
commend it to the piety and prayers of
all the truly devout, who have the ho-
nour to be known to your majesty :
many such doubtless there are, though
courts are not usually the places where
the devout resort, or where devotion
reigns. And it is not improbable, that
multitudes of the pious throughout the
land may take a case to heart, that
under your majesty's patronage comes
thus recommended.

Could such a favour as this restora-
tion be obtained from heaven by the
prayers of your majesty, with what
transport of gratitude would the reco-
vered being throw himself at your ma-
jesty's feet, and, adoring the divine
power and grace, profess himself,

Madam, your majesty's most obliged
and dutiful servant,

Simon Browne. '

First printed by Dr. rlajrkesworth. ,
in the Adventurer, No. 88.

110 BRO.WNE. •

pf extensive knowledge, and very considerable learning.
He was well skilled in theology, his sentiments were libe-
ral, and he was a zealous advocate for freedom of inquiry.
He appears, from the general tenor of his life, and of his
writings, to have been a man of distinguished virtue, and
of the most fervent piety, and to have been animated by
an ardent zeal for the interests of rational and practical re-
ligion. His abilities made him respected, and his virtues
rendered him beloved : but such was the peculiarity of his
case, that he lived a melancholy instance of the weakness
of human nature.

After Mr. Browne's death, in 1733, was published^ in 8vo,
as a separate piece, "The Close of the Defence of the
Religion of Nature and the Christian Revelation : in an-
swer to Christianity as old as the Creation. In an address
to Christian ministers and the Christian people." The
author of Christianity as old as the Creation urges it as an
argument against the truth of the Gospel revelation, that
it has been productive of but little good effect in the lives
of Christians, and that it does not appear that they have
arrived at any higher state of perfection than the rest of
mankind. This objection Mr. Browne answered in his De-
fence ; and his Close of that Defence is an earnest and
pathetic exhortation to Christian ministers and people, of
all denominations, not to give so much ground by their
conduct for such objections of the deists, but to regulate
their lives in a more exact conformity to the precepts of
the excellent religion which they professed. Besides the
works of Mr. Browne which have been enumerated, he also
published several single sermons ; and was one of the au-
thors of the " Occasional Paper,'* a kind of periodical
work, collected and published in 3 vols. 8vo, Some of his
MSS. are in the British Museum, and among them a ver-
sion of some of the Psalms. *

BROWNE (Thomas), a clergyman of the church of
England in the seventeenth century, was born in the
county of Middlesex in 1604, was elected student of Christ
church in 1620, and took the degrees in arts, that of mas-
ter being completed in 1627. In 1636, he served the of-
fice of proctor, and the year after was made domestic
chaplain to archbishop Laud, and bachelor of divinity.
Soon after he became rector of St. Mary, Aldermary, Lou*
» *

1 Bipg, Buti-rAtkey's Funeral Sermon.— Adventurer, No. 88.

BROWNE, 141

don, canon of Windsor in 1639, and rector ofOddtngton
in Oxfordshire. On the breaking out of the rebellion, he
was ejected from his church in London by the ruling party,
and retired to his majesty, to whom he was chaplain,
at Oxford, and in 1642 was created D. D. having then
only the profits of Oddington to maintain him. He ap-
pears afterwards to have been stripped even of this, and
went to the continent, where he was for some time chap-
lain to Mary, princess of Orange. After the restoration,
he was admitted again to his former preferments, but does
not appear to have had any other reward for his losses and
sufferings. He died at Windsor Dec. 6, 1673, and waa»
buried on the outside of St. George's chapel, where Dr.
Isaac Vossiiis, his executor, erected a monument to his
memory, with an inscription celebrating his learning, elo-
quence, critical talents, and knowledge of antiquities.
Besides a sermon preached before the university in 1633,
he published,, " A Key to the King's Cabinet; or animad-
versions upon the three printed speeches of Mr. L'isle,
Mr. Tate, and Mr. Browne, members of the house of
commons, spoken at a common hall in London, July 1645,
detecting the malice and falsehood of their blasphemous ob-
servations upon the king and queen's letters," Oxford,
1645, 4to. His next publication was a treatise in defence
of Grotius against an epistle of Salmasius, " De posthumo
Grotii;" this he printed at the Hague, 1646, 8vo, under
the name of Simplicius Virinus, and it was not known to
be his until after his death, when the discovery was made
by Vossius. He wrote also, " Dissertatio de Therapeutis
Philonis adversus Henricum Valesium," Lond. 1687, 8vo,
at the end of Colomesius' edition of St. Clement's epistles ;
and he translated part of Camden's annals of queen Eliza-
beth, under the title, " Tomus alter et idem ; or the
History of the life and reign of that famous princess Eli-
zabeth, &c." London, 1629, 4to. In the Republic of
Letters, volf VI. 1730, we find published for the first
time, a " Concio ad Clerum," delivered for his divinity
bachelor's degree in 1637 ; the subject, " the revenues of
the clergy," which even at that period were threatened. l

BROWNE (Sir Thomas), an eminent physician and
antiquary, was born in London, in the parish of St.
Michael, Cheapside, Oct. 19, 1605. His father wasam'er-

» Ath. Ox, vol. II.— Republic of Letters* vol. VI.

142 BROWNE.

chant, of an ancient family at Upton in Cheshire. He lost
his father very early, and was defrauded by one of his
guardians, by whom, however, or by his mother, who soon
after his father's death married sir Thomas Dutton, he was
placed at Winchester school. In 1623 he was removed
from Winchester to Oxford, and entered a gentleman-
commoner of Broadgate-hall. Here he was admitted to his
bachelor's degree, Jan. 31, 1626-27, being the firsf person
of eminence graduated from Broadgate-hall, when en-
dowed and known as Pembroke-college. After .taking his
master's degree, he turned his studies to physic, and prac-
tised it for some time in Oxfordshire, but soon afterwards,
either induced by curiosity, or invited by promises, he
quitted his settlement, and accompanied his father-in-law,
who had some employment in Ireland, in a visitation of
the forts and castles, which the state of Ireland then made
necessary. From Ireland he passed into France and Italy ;
made some stay at Montpelier and Padua, which were then
the celebrated schools of physic ; and, returning home
through Holland, procured himself to be created M. D. at
J-eyden, but when he' began these travels, or when he
concluded them, there is no certain account. It is, how-
ever, supposed that he1 returned to London in. 1634, ajid
that the following year he wrote his celebrated treatise,
the " Religio Medici," which he declares himself never
to have intended for the press,* having composed it only
for his own exercise and entertainment. He had, how-
ever, communicated it to his friends, and by some means
a copy was given to a printer in 1642, and was no sooner
published than it excited the attention of the public by
the novelty of paradoxes, the dignity of sentiment, the
quick succession of images, the multitude of abstruse al-
lusions, the subtlety of disquisition, and the strength of
language.

The earl of Dorset recommended this book to the pe-
rusal of sir Kenelm Digby, who returned his judgment
upon it, not in a letter, but in a book ; in which, though
mingled with some positions fabulous and uncertain, there
are acute remarks, just censures, and profound specula-
tions, yet its principal claim to admiration is, that it was
written in twenty-four hours, of which part was spent in
procuring Browne's book, and part in reading it. . This
induced sir Thomas to publish a more correct edition of
his work, which had great success. A Mr. Merry weather,

BROWNE. 143

of Cambridge, turned it, not inelegantly, into Latin, and
from his version it was again translated into Italian, Ger-
man, Dutch, and French, and at Strasburgh the Latin
translation was published with large notes, by Lenuus Ni-
colaus Moltfarius. Of the English annotations, which, in
all the editions from 1644, accompany the book, the au-
thor is unknown. Merryweather, we are told, had' some
difficulty in getting his translation printed in Holland. The
first printer to whom he offered it carried it to Salmasius,
" who laid it by (says he) in state for three months," and
then discouraged its publication : it was afterwards re-
jected by two other printers, and at last was received by
Hackius. The peculiarities of the book raised the author,
as is . usual, many admirers and many enemies ; but we
know not of more than one professed answer, written un-
der the title of " Medicus Medicatus," by Alexander Ross,
which was universally neglected by the world. Abroad it*
was animadverted upon as having an irreligious tendency,
by Guy Patin, by Tobias Wagner, by Muller, Reiser,
and Buddeus, and was put into the Index pxpurgatorius.
At present it will probably be thought that it was both too
much applauded and too much censured, and that it would
have been a more useful book had the author's fancy been
more guided by judgment

At the time when this book was published, Dr. Browne
resided at Norwich, where he had settled in 1636, by
the persuasion of Dr. Lushington, his tutor, who was then
rector of Barn ham Westgate, in the neighbourhood. It
is recorded by Wood, that his practice was very extensive.
In 1637 he was incorporated M. D. at Oxford. He mar-
ried in 1641 Mrs. Mileham, of a good family in Norfolk, a
lady of very amiable character. Dr. Johnson says this mar-
. riage could not but draw the raillery of contemporary wits
upon a man, who had been just wishing, in his new book,
" that we might procreate, lika trees, without conjunc-
tion ;" and had lately declared, that " the whole world
was made for man, but only the twelfth part of man for
woman," and that " man is the whole world, but woman
only the rib or crooked part of man." They lived happily,
however, together for forty -one years, during which she
bore him ten children, of whom one son and three daugh-
ters outlived their parents. She survived him two years.

In 1646, he printed " Enquiries into vulgar and com-
mon Errors," small folio, a work, says his biographer,

J44 BROWN E.

^hich, as it arose not from fancy and invention, but from*
observation and books, and contained not a single discourse
of one continued tenor, but an enumeration of many un-
connected particulars, must have been the collection of
years; and the. effect of a design early formed, and long
pursued. It is, indeed, adds the same writer, to be?
wished, that he had longer delayed the publication, and
added what tbe remaining part of his life might have fur-
nished. He published in 1673 the sixth edition, witH
some improvements. This book, like his former, was re-
ceived with great applause, was answered by Alexander
Ross, and translated into Dutch and German, and after-
wards into French. It might, Dr. Johnson thinks, now be
proper to reprint it with notes, partly supplemental arid
partly emendatory, to subjoin those discoveries which the
industry of the last age has made, and correct those mis-'
lakes which the author has committed, not by idleness oir
negligence, but for want of Boyle's and Newton's phi-
losophy.

The reputation of Browne encouraged some low writer .
to publish, under his name, a book called " Nature's ca-
binet unlocked," translated, according to Wood, from the
physics of Magirus, but Browne advertised against it. In
1658, the discovery of some ancient urns in Norfolk gav6
him occasion to write " Hydriotaphia, Urn-burial, or a
discourse of Sepulchral Urns," 8vo, in which he treats
with his usual learning, on the funeral rites of the ancient
nations ; exhibits their various treatment of the dead ; and ,
examines the substances found in these Norfolk urns.
There is, perhaps, none of his works which better ex-
emplifies his reading or memory. To this treatise was
added " The Garden of Cyrus, or the Quincunxial lo-
zenge, or net-work plantation of the ancients, artificially'
naturally, mystically considered." This is a more fanciful
performance than the other, but still it exhibits the fancy
of a man of learning. Besides these, he left some papers
prepared for the press, of which two collections have been ~
published, the first by Dr. Thomas Tennison, afterwards
archbishop of Canterbury, in 1684, 8vo, entitled, "A
Collection of Miscellaneous Tracts," and these, with what
had been published in his life-time, were printed in one
vol. fol. in 1686. In 1690 his son, Dr. Edward Browne,*
of whom we have already spoken, published a single tract,
entitled " A Letter to a friend upon occasion of tbe death

BROWNE* 14S

of his intimate friend/' 8vo. The second collection was
of the "Posthumous Works," edited in 1722 by Owen
Brigstock, esq. his grandson by marriage.

To the life of this learned man, there remains little to
be added, but that in 1665 he was chosen honorary fellow •
of the college of physicians ; and in 1671, received at Nor- .
wich the honour of knighthood from Charles II. In his
seventy-sixth year, he was seized with a colic, which, after
having tortured him about a week, put an end to his life
at Norwich, Oct. 19, 1682. Some of his last words were
expressions of submission to the will of God, and fearless-
ness of death. He was buried in the church of St. Peter,
Man croft, in Norwich, with a Latin inscription on a mural
monument.

In 1716 there appeared a book of his in 12mo, entitled
" Christian Morals," published from the original and cor-
rect manuscript of the author, by John Jeffery, I>. D. arch-
deacon of Norwich. It was dedicated by our author's;
daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Littleton, to David, earl of Bu-
chan. Of this a second edition was published in 1756 by
Mr. John Payne, bookseller, and one of Dr. Johnson's early
patrons, who solicited him to write a life of sir Thomas.
This, of which we have availed ourselves in the preceding
account, may be classed among Dr. Johnson's best biogra-
phical performances, and the present article may be very
properly concluded with his character of Browne's works*
After mentioning the various writers who have noticed
Browne, he adds, "But it is not on the praises of others,
But on his own writings, that he is to depend for the es-
teem of posterity; of which he will not easily be deprived, *
while learning shall have any reverence among men : for
there is no science in which he does not discover some
skill ; and scarce any kind of knowledge, profane or sacred,
abstruse or elegant, which he does not appear to have cul-
tivated with success. His exuberance o^ knowledge, and
plenitude of ideas, sometimes obstruct the tendency of his
reasoning, and the clearness of his decisions : on whatever
subject he employed his mind, there started up imme-
diately so many images before him, that he lost one by
grasping another. His memory supplied him with so many
illustrations, parallel or dependent notions, that he was \
always starting into collateral considerations : but the spi-
rit and vigour of his pursuit always gives delight ; and the
reader follows him, without reluctance; through his mazes,,

Vol. VII. L

146 BR O W N &

in themselves flowery and pleasing, and ending at the
point originally in view.— To have great excellencies, and
great faults, * magna virtutes nee minora vitia, is the
poesy,' says our author, ' of the best natures.9 This poesy
may be properly applied to the style of Browne : it is'
vigorous^ but rugged; it is learned, but pedantic; it is
deep, but obscure ; it strikes, but does not please ; it com-
mands, but does not allure: his tropes are harsh, and hi*
combinations uncouth. He fell into an age, in which our
language began to lose the stability which it had obtained
in the time of Elizabeth; and was considered by every"
writer as a subject on which he might try his plastic skill,
by moulding it according to his own fancy. Milton, in
consequence of this encroaching licence, began to intro-
duce the Latin idiom ; and Browne, though he gave less
disturbance to our structures and phraseology, yet poured
in a multitude of exotic words ; many, indeed, useful and?
significant, which, if rejected, must be supplied by cir-
cumlocution, such as commensality for the state of many
living at the same table ; but many superfluous, as a para-
logical for an unreasonable doubt ; and some so obscure,
that they conceal his meaning rather than explain it, as
arthritic a I analogies for parts that serve some animals in the
place of joints. — His style is, indeed, a tissue of many lan-
guages ; a mixture of heterogeneous words, brought toge-
ther from distant regions, with terms originally appro-
priated to one art, and drawn by violence into the service
of another. He must, however, be confessed to have aug-
mented our philosophical diction ; and in defence of his
uncommon words and expressions, we must consider, that
he had uncommon sentiments, and was not content to ex-
press in many words that idea for which any language
could supply a single term. — But his innovations are some-
times pleasing, and his temerities happy : he has many
verba ardentia, forcible expressions, which he would never
have found, but by venturing to the utmost verge of pro-
priety ; and flights which would never have been reached,
but by one who had very little fear of the shame of fall-
ing."

The last thing which Dr. Johnson has done, in his life of
sir Thomas Browne, is to vindicate him from the charge
of infidelity ; and having fully shewn the falsity of this
accusation, the ingenious biographer concludes in the fol^
lowing words ; " The opinions of every man must be

BROWNE. 147

learned from himself : concerning his practice, it is safest
to trust the evidence of others. Where these testimonies
concur, no higher degree of historical certainty can be ob-
tained ; and they apparently concur to prove, that Browne
was a zealous adherent to the faith of Christ, that he lived
in obedience to his laws, and died in confidence of his
mercy." *

BROWNE (William), an ingenious English poet, was
the son of Thomas Browne of Tavistock in Devonshire,
gent, who, according to Prince, in his Worthies of Devon,
was most probably a descendant from the knightly family
of Browne of Brownes-Ilash in the parish of Langtree near
Great Torrington in Devonshire. His son was born in
1590, and became a student of Exeter college,' Oxford,
about the beginning of the reign of James I. After making
a great progress in classical and polite literature, he re-
moved to the Inner Temple, where his attention tothg
study of the law was frequently interrupted by his de-
votiotvtothe muses. In his twenty ithird year (1613) he
published, in folio, the first part of -his "Britannia's Pas*
torals," which, according to the custom of the time, was
ushered into the world with so many poetical eulogies,
that he appears to have secured, at a very early age, the
friendship, and favour of the most celebrated of his con*
temporaries, among whom we find the names of Seldfen
and Drayton. To these he afterwards added Davies of
Hereford, Ben Johson, and others. That he wrote some
of these pastorals before he had attained his twentieth year,
has be£n conjectured from a passage in Book I. Song V. ;
but there is sufficient internal evidence, independent of
these lines, that much of them was the offspring of a ju~
venile fancy. In the following year, he published in 8vo,
u The Shepherd's Pipe,*' in seven eclogues. In the fourth
of these he laments the death of his friend Mr. Thomas'
Manwood, under the name of Philarete, the precursor, as
some critics assert, of Milton's Lycidas. *

In 1616, he published the second part of his "Britan-
nia's Pastorals," recommended as before, by his poetical
friends, whose praises he repaid with liberality in the body
of thfe work. The two parts were reprinted in 8vo in
1625, and procured him, as is too frequently the case,

i

1 Life by Dr. Johnso!i.-~Bi6$. Brit— Ath. Ox. vol. II.— Watson's Halifax*
p. 45S.

£2'

148 BROWNE.

more fame than profit. About'a year before this, heap-
pears to have taken leave of the muses, and returned to
Exeter college, in the capacity of tutor to Robert Dor-
mer, earl of Caernarvon, a nobleman who fell at the battle
of Newbury in 1643, while fighting gallantly for his king,
£t the head of a regiment of horse, and of whom lord Cla-
rendon has given us a character drawn with his usual dis-
crimination and fidelity. While guiding the studies of this ,
nobleman, Browne was created master of artst with this
honourable notice in the public register, " Vir otnni hu-
jnana literatura et bonarum artium cognitione instructus."

After leaving the university with lord Caernarvon, be
found a liberal patron in William earl of Pembroke, of
whom likewise we have a most elaborate character in Cla-
rendon, some part of which reflects honour on our poet,—
** He was a great lover of his country, and of the religion
and justice, which he believed could only support it : and
his friendships were only tilth men of those principles. And
as his conversation was most with men of the most pregnant
parts and understanding ; so towards any such, who needed
support, or encouragement, though unknown, if fairly re-
commended to him, he was very liberal." This nobleman,
who had a respect for Browne probably founded on the
circumstances intimated in the above character, took him
into his family, and employed him in such a manner, ac-
cording to Wood, that he was enabled to p'urchase an es-
tate. Little more, however, is known of his history, nor
is the exact time of his death ascertained. Wood finds
that one of both his names, of Ottery St. Mary in Devon-
shire, died in the winter of 1645, but knows not whether
this be the same. He hints at his person in these words,
"as he had a little body, so a great mind;9' a high charac-
ter from this biographer who had no indulgence for poeti-
cal failings.

Browne has experienced the fate of. many of bis con-
temporaries* whose fame died with them, and whose writ-
ings haye been left to be revived, under many disadvan-
tages, by an age of refined taste and curiosity. The civil
wars which raged about the time of bis death, and whose
consequences continued to operate for many years after,
diverted the public mind from the concerns of poetry. The
lives of the poets were forgotten, and their works perished
through neglect or wantonness. We have no edition of
Browne's poems from 1625 to 1772, when Mr. Thomas

BROWNE, 149

Davies, the bookseller, was assisted by some of his learned
friends in publishing them, in three small volumes. The
advertisement, prefixed to the first volume, informs us that
the gentlemen of the king's library procured the use of the
first edition of " Britannia's Pastorals," which had several
manuscript notes on the margin, written by the rev. Wil-
liam Thomson, one of the few scholars of his time who
studied the antiquities* of English poetry. Mr. Thomas
Wartbn contributed his copy of the " Shepherd's Pipe,'*
which was at that time so scarce that no other could be
procured. Mr. Price, the librarian of the Bodleian li-
brary, sent a correct copy of the Elegy upon the death of
Henry prince of Wales, from a manuscript in that repo-
sitory ; and Dr. Farmer furnished a transcript of the " Inner
Temple Mask" from the library of Emanuel college, which
had never before been printed. With such helps, a cor-
rect edition might have been expected, but the truth is,
that the few editions of ancient poets, (Suckling, Marvell,
Carew, &c.) which Davies undertook to print, are ex-
tremely deficient in correctness. Of this assertion, which
the comparison of a few pages with any of the originals
will amply confirm, we have a very striking instance in the
present work, in which two entire pages of the Book I, of
Britannia's Pastorals were omitted.

His works exhibit abundant specimens of true inspira->
tion ; .and had his judgment been equal to his powers of
invention, or had he yielded less to the bad taste of his
age, or occasionally met with a dritic instead of a flatterer,
he would have been entitled to a much higher rank in the
class of genuine poets. His Pastorals form a vast store-
bouse of rural imagery and description, and in personifying
the passions and affections, he exhibits pictures that are
not only faithful, but striking, just to nature and to feeling,
and frequently heightened by original touches of the pa-
thetic and sublime,' and by many of those wild graces
which true genius only can exhibit. It is not improbable
that he studied Spenser, as well as the Italian -poets. To
the latter he owes something of elegance and something
of extravagance. From the former he appears to have
caught the idea of a story like the Faery Queen e, although
. it wants regularity of plan ; and he follows his great model
in a profusion of allegorical description and romantic land*
scape.

*50 BROWNE.

His versification, which is so generally harmonious/ that
where he fails it may be imputed to carelessness, is at the
same time so various as to relax the imagination with sper
ciraens of every kind, and he seems to pass from the one
to the other with an ease that we do not often find among the
Writers of lengthened poems. Those, however, who are
jn search of faulty rhimes, of foolish conceits, of vulgar
ideas, and of degrading imagery, will not lose their pains.
He was, among other qualities, a man of humour, and his
humour is often exceedingly extravagant. So mixed, in-
deed, is his style, and so whimsical his flights, that we
are sometimes reminded of Swift in all his grossness, and
sometimes of Milton in the plenitude, of his inspiration.
Mr. Warton has remarked that the morning landscape of
the L1 Allegro is an assemblage of the same objects which.
Browne had before collected in his Britannia's Pastorals,
B; IV. Song IV. beginning

" By this had chanticlere," &c.

. It has already been noticed that Phitarete was the pre*
cursor of Lycidas, but what Mr. Warton asserts of Comus
deserves some consideration. After copying the exqui-
site Ode which Circe, in the Inner Temple Mask, sings
as a charm to drive away sleep from Ulysses, Mr. Warton
adds, " In praise of this song, it will be sufficient to say
that it reminds us of some favourite touches in Milton's
Comus, to which it perhaps gave birth. Indeed, one
cannot help observing here in general, although the ob-
servation more properly belongs to another place, that a
masque thus recently exhibited on the story of Circe, which
there is reason to think had acquired some popularity,
suggested to Milton the hint of a masque on the story of
Comus. It would be superfluous to point out minutely
the absolute similarity of the two characters ; they both deal
in incantations conducted by the same mode of operation,
and producing effects exactly parallel."

Without offering any objection to these remarks, it may
still be necessary to remind the reader of a circumstance
to which this excellent critic has not adverted, namely,
that the Inner Temple Mask appears to have been exhibited
about the year 1620, when Milton was a boy of only
twelve years old, and remained in manuscript until Dr.
Farmer procured a copy for the edition of 1772 ; and that
Milton produced his Comus at the age of twenty-sir. It

BROWNE. 151

i

remains, therefore, for some future conjecturer to deter-
mine on the probability of Milton's having seen Browne's
manuscript in the interim.

Prince informs us, that " as he had honoured his country
with his sweet and elegant Pastorals, so it was expected, and
he also entreated, a little farther to grace it by his drawing
out the line of his poetic ancestors, beginning in Joseph
Iscanus, and ending in himself : a noble design, if it
had- been effected." Josephus Iscanus was Joseph of
Exeter, who flourished in the thirteenth century, and
wrote two epic poems in Latin heroics. Had Browne
begun much later, he would have conferred a very high
obligation on posterity. Collections of poetry are of very
ancient date, but very little is known with certainty of the
•lives of English poets, and that little must now be reco-
vered with great difficulty.

It yet remains to be noticed that some poems of Browne
are supposed to exist in manuscript. Mr. Nichols thinks
that Warburtoh the herald had some which were sold with
the rest of his .library, about the year 1759, or 1760.
Mr. Park, also, in a supplementary note to the Biog.
Britannica, brings proof that George Withers had some
share in composing the " Shepherd's Pipe." They were
contemporaries, and nearly of the same age. *

BROWNE (Sir William), a physician of the last cen-
tury, and a man of a singular and whimsical cast of mind,
was born in 1692, and in 1707 was entered of Peter-
house, Cambridge, where he took the degrees, B. A. 1710,
M. A. 1714, and M. D. 1721, and soon after settled at
Lynn, in Norfolk, where he published Dr. Gregory's
41 Elements of catoptrics and dioptrics," translated from
the Latin original, to which he added: 1. A method for
finding the foci of all specula, as well as lenses univer-
sally ; a9 also magnifying or lessening a given object by a
given speculum, or lens, in any assigned proportion.
2. A solution of those problems which Dr. Gregory has
left undemonstrated. 3. A particular account of micro-
scopes and telescopes, from Mr. Huygens ; with the dis-
coveries made by catoptrics and dioptrics. By an epigram,
many of which he provoked, he appears to have been the
champion of the fair sex at Lynn, in 1748. On one oc-

1 English Poets, edit 1810, rol. VI. — Biofr Brit. — Gen, Diet. —Prince's
Worthies.— Wood's Athens.

15B BHOWNE.

casion, a pamphlet having been written against him, he nailed
it up against his house-door. Having acquired a competency
by his profession, he removed to Queeu-square, Ormond-
street, London, where he resided till his death, which
happened March 10, 1774, at the age of 82. A great
number of lively essays, both in prose and verse, the pro-
duction of his pen, were printed and circulated among his
friends. Among these were: 1. " Ode in imitation of
Horace," ode 3, lib. iii. addressed to the right hon. sir
Robert Walpole, on ceasing to be minister, Feb* 6, 1741 ;
designed, he says, as a just panegyric on a great minister,
the glorious revolution, protestant succession, and prin-
ciples of liberty. To which was added the original ode,
" defended in commentariolo." It was inscribed to George
earl of Orford, as an acknowledgement of the favours con-
ferred by his lordship as well as by his father and grand-
father. On the first institution of the militia, our author
was appointed one of the earl's deputy-lieutenants, and
was named in his lordship's first commission of the peace.
2. Opuscula varia utriusque linguae, medicinam ; medi-
corum collegium ; literas, utrasque academies ; empiricos,
eorum cultores; solicitatorem, praestigiatorem ; poeticen,
criticen ; patronum, patriam ; religionem, libertatem,
spectantia. Cum praefatione eorum editionem defendente.
Auctore D. Gulielmo Browne, equite aurato, M. D. utri-
usque et medicorum et physicorum S. R. S. 1765, 4to.
This little volume (which was dated " Ex area dicta re*
ginali, mdcclxv, hi nonas Januarias, ipso Ciceronis et
aiictoris natali") contained, I. Oratio Harveiana, in theatro
collegii medicorum Londinensis habita, 1751. II. A vin-
dication of the college of physicians, in reply to solicitor-
general Murray, 1753. III. Ode in imitation of Horace^
Ode I. addressed to the duke of Montague. With a new*
interpretation, in commentariolo, 1765. IV. The Odef
^bove-mentioned, to sir Robert Walpole. Some time be-
fore, sir William had published odes in imitation of Ho-
race ; addressed to sir John Dolben, to sir John Turner^
to doctor Askew, and to Robert lord Walpole. 3. " Ap-

Eendix altera ad opuscula; oratiunqula, collegii medicorum
ondinensis cathedrae valedicens. In comitiis, postridie
divi Michaelis, mdcclxxvii. ad collegii administrationem
renovandam designatis; machinaque incendiis extinguendis
japta contra permissos rebelles munitis ; habita a D. Gu-
U^lmo JJrowne, e<juite aurato, praeside," 4768, *to, TM*

BROWNE. 155

farewell oration con£ains so many curious particulars of sir
William's life, that the reader will not be displeased to see
some extracts from it, and with his own spelling. " The
manly age and inclination, with conformable studies, I dili-
gently applied to the practice of physic in the country ;
where, as that age adviseth, I sought riches and friendships*
But afterwards, being satiated with friends, whom truth, not
flattery, had procured ; satiated with riches, which Galen,
not fortune, had presented ; I resorted immediately to this
college : where, in further obedience to the same adviser,
I might totally addict myself to the service of honour.
Conducted by your favour, instead of my own merit, I
have been advanced, through various degrees of honour,
a most delightful climax indeed, even to the very highest
of all which the whole profession of physic hath to confer.
In this chair, therefore, twice received from the elects,
shewing their favour to himself, he confesseth much more
than to the college, your president

' Acknowledges that he has happy been ;
And, now, content with acting this sweet scene,
Chooses to make his exit, like a guest
Retiring pamper d from a plenteous feast :*

in, order to attach himself and the remainder of his life, no
longer, as before, solely to the college,, but, by turns,
also to the medicinal springs of his own country ; although,
as a physician, never unmindful of his duty, yet after his
own manner, with hilarity rather than gravity ; to enjoy
liberty, more valuable than silver and gold, as in his own
right, because that of mankind, not without pride, which
ever ought to be its inseparable companion.

' Now the free foot shall dance its fav'rite round.*,

Behold an instance of human ambition ! not to be satiated
but by the conquest of three, as it were, medical worlds ;
lucre in the country, honour in the college, pleasure at
medicinal springs ! I would, if it were possible, be de-
lightful and useful to ail : to myself even totally, and
equal: to old age, though old, diametrically opposite;
not a censor and chastiser, but a commender and encou-
rager, of youth. I would have mine such as, in the satire,

* Ciispus's hoary entertaining age,
Whose wit and manners mild alike engage.'

The age of presiding, by the custom of our prsedeces-
§Qrs;was generally a lustrum, five years; although our

154 BROWNE.

Sloane, now happy, like another Nestor, lived to see three
ages, both as president and as man. But two years more
than satisfy me : for, that each of the elects may in his
turn hold the sceptre of prudence, far more desirable than
power, given by Caius, which the law of justice and aequity
recommends,

* No tenure pleases longer than a. year— *

But in truth, among such endearing friendships with you,
such delightful conversations, such useful communications,
with which this amiable situation hath blessed me, one or
two things, as is usual, have happened not at all to my
satisfaction. One, that, while most studious of peace my-
self, I hoped to have preserved the peace of the college
secure and intire, I too soon found that it was not other-
wise to be sought for than by war : but even after our first
adversary, because inconsiderable, was instantly over-
thrown, and his head completely cut off by the hand of
the law, yet from the same neck, as if Hydra, had been
our enemy, so many other heads broke out, yea, and with,
inhuman violence broke into this very senate, like mon-
sters swimming in pur medical sea, whom I beheld with
unwilling indeed, but with dry, or rather fixed eyes, be-
cause not suspecting the least mischief from thence to the
college, and therefore laughing, so far from fearing. The
other, in reality, never enough to be lamented, that, while
I flattered myself with having, by my whole power of per-
suasion, in the room of Orphaean music, raised the Croo-
nian medical lecture as it were from the shades into day,
if there could be any faith in solemn promises ; that faith
being, to my very great wonder, violated, this lecture,,
like another Eurydice, perhaps looked after by me too
hastily, beloved by me too desperately, instantly slipped
back again, and fled indignant to the shades below/9

He used to say he resigned the presidentship because
he would not stay to be beat : alluding to the attack of the
licentiates.

The active part taken by sir William Browne in the
contest with the licentiates, occasioned his being intro-
duced by Mr. Foote in his " Devil upon two sticks."
Upon Footers exact representation of him with his identical
wig and coat, odd figure, and glass stiffly applied to his
eye, he sent him a card complimenting him on having so
happily represented 4iim ; but, as he had forgot his muff,
he had sent him his own. This good-natured method of

BROWNE. i55

resenting, disarmed Foote. His next publication was:
.4. " A farewell Oration, &c.". a translation of the pre*
ceding article, 1768, 4to. 5. " Fragmen turn Isaac i Haw-
kins BrQWQe* arm. sive Anti~Bolinbrokius, liber primus*
Translated for a second Religio Medici," 1768, 4to. The
author modestly calls this " a very hasty performance ;"
and says, " }n my journey from Oxford to Bath, meeting
with continued rain, which kept me three days on the road,
in compassion to my servants and horses ; and having my
/fiend a pocket companion, I found it the best entertain-
ment my tedious baiting could afford to begin and finish
this translation/' This was dated Oct. 24, 1768 ; and his
second part was completed on .the 20th of the following
oionth : " My undertaking,1' he says, " to complete, as
well as I could, the Fragment of my friend, hath appeared
to me so very entertaining a work, even amongst the most
charming delights and most cheerful conversations at
Bath ; that I have used more expedition, if the very many
avocations there be considered, in performing this, than
in that former translation ;" and to this part was prefixed
a congratulatory poem " To Isaac Hawkins Browne, esq.
son of his deceased friend, on his coming of age, Dec. 7,
1766."-^-The good old knight's Opuscula were continually
on the increase. The very worthy master of a college at
Cambridge, lately living, relates a story of him, that wait-
ing for sir William in some room at the college, where he
was come to place a near relation, he found him totally
absorbed in thought, over a fine 4to volume of these
Opuscula, which he constantly, he said, carried about with
bim, that they might be benefited by frequent revisals.

His portrait, in his latter days, is very faithfully drawn
by Warburtpn, in one of his letters to bishop Hurd.
" When you see Dr. Heberden, pray communicate to him
an unexpected honour I have lately received. The other
day, word was. brought me from below, that one sir Wil-
liam Browne sent up his name, and should be glad to kiss
my band. I judged it to be the famous physician, whom
I had never seen, nor had the honour to know. When I
came down into the drawing-room, I was accosted by a
little*, round, well-fed gentleman, with a large muff in
one hand, a small Horace, open, in the other, and a
spying-glass dangling in a black ribbon at his button.
After the first salutation, he informed me that his visit was
indeed to me ; but principally, and in the first place, to

156 BROWNt

Prior-Park, which had so inviting a prospect from below ;
and he did not doubt but, on examination, it would suffi-
ciently repay the trouble he had given himself of coming
up to it on foot We then took our chairs ; and the first
thing he did or said, was to propose a doubt to me con-
cerning a passage in Horace, which all this time he had
still open in bis hand. Before I could answer, he gave me
the solution of this long-misunderstood passage ; and, in
support of his explanation, had the charity to repeat his
own paraphrase of it in English verse, just come hot, as
he said, from the brain. When this and chocolate were
over, having seen all he wanted of me, be desired to see
something more of the seat, and particularly what he called
the monument, by which I understood him to mean the
Prior's tower. Accordingly, I ordered a servant to attend
him thither, and when he had satisfied his curiosity, either
to let him out from the Park above, into the Down, or
from the garden below into the road. Which he chose, I
never asked ; and so this honourable visit ended. Hereby
you will understand that the design of all this was to be
admired. And indeed he had my admiration to the full ;
but for nothing so much, as for his being able at past eighty
to perform this expedition on foot, in no good weather,
and with all the alacrity of a boy, both in body and mind.'*
This portrait is correct in every thing but the age, sir
William being only then (1767) seventy-five.

On a controversy for a raker in the parish where he lived
in London, carried on so warmly as to open taverns for
men, and coffee-house breakfasts for ladies, he exerted
himself greatly ; wondering a man hred at two universities
should be so little regarded. (He had been expelled one,
and therefore taken degrees at another.) A parishioner
answered : " he had a calf that sucked two cows, and a pro- '
digious great one it was." He used to frequent the annual
ball at the ladies' boarding-school, €lueen-square, merely
as a neighbour, a good-natured man, and forid of the com-
pany of sprightly young folks. A dignitary of the church
being there one day to see his daughter dance, and finding1
this upright figure stationed there, told him he believed he
was Hermippus redivrvtis, who lived anhelitu pueUarum. At
the age of eighty, on St. Luke's day, 177 1 , he came to Bat-
son's coffee-house in his laced coat and band, and fringed
white gloves, to shew himself to Mr. Crosby, then lord-mayor,
A gentleman present observing that he looked very well,

BROWNE. 157

he replied* u be had neither wife nor debts.'* He next;
published, " Fragmentum I. Hawkins completum," 1769,
4to. 7. " Appendix ad Opuscula;'* six Odes, 1770, 4to,
comprising : I. De senectute. Ad amicum D. Rogerum
Long, apud Cantabrigienses, aulee custodem Pcmbrokianse,
theologum, . astronomum, doctissimum, jucundissimum,
annum nonagesimum agentem, scripta. Adjecta versione
Anglica. Abamico D. Guliel mo Browne, annum agente
fere octogesimum. II. De choreis, et festivitate. Ad
nobiitssimum ducem Leodensem, diem Walliae principis
natalem acidulisTunbrigiensibus celebrantem, scripta. A
theologo festivo, D. Georgio Lewis. Adjecta versione
Anglic& ab amico, D. Gulielmo Browne. III. De ingenio,
et jucunditate. Ad Lodoicum amicum, sacerdotem Can*
tianum, in geniosissi mum, jucundissimum, scripta. Ad-
jecta versione Anglic^. A. D. Gulielmo Browne, E. A. O.
M. L. P. S. R. S. IV. De Wilkesio, et libertate. Ad doc-
torem Thomam Wilson, theologum doctissimum, liber-
rimum, tarn mutui amici, Wilkesii* amicum, quairi suum,
scripta. V. De otio inedentibus debito. Ad Moysceum
amicum, medicum Bathoniae doctissimum, humanissimum,
6cripta. VI. De potiore metallis libertate : et omnia vin-
cente fortitudine. Ad eorum utriusque patronum, Gultel-
mum ilium Pittium, omni et titulo et laude majorem,
scripta. 8. Three more Odes, 1771, 4to. 9. "A Pro-
posal on our Coin, to remedy all present, and prevent all
future disorders. To which are prefixed, preceding pro-
posals of sir John Barnard, and of William Shirley, esq.
on the same subject With remarks," 1774, 4to, dedicated
" To the most revered memory of the right honourable
Arthur Onslow, speaker of the house of commons during
thirty- three years ; for ability, judgement, eloquence, in-
tegrity, impartiality, never to be forgotten or excelled ;
who sitting in the gallery, on a committee of the house, the
day of publishing this proposal, and seeing the author
there, sent to speak with him, by the chaplain ; and, after
applauding his performance, desired a frequent corre-
spondence, and honoured him with particular respect, all
the rest of his life, this was, with most profound venera-
tion, inscribed." 10. A New-Year's Gift. A problem
and' demonstration on the XXXIX Articles," 1772, 4to.
" This problem and demonstration," he informs us, "though
now first published, on account of the praesent contro-
versy concerning these articles, owe their birth to ray

15a BROWNE.

being called upon to subscribe them, at an early period of
life. For in my soph's year, 1711, being ar student art
Peter-house, in the university of Cambridge, just nine-
teen years of age, and having performed all my exercises
in the schools (and also a first opponency extraordinary to
an ingenious pupil of his, afterwards Dr. Barnard, pre-
bendary of Norwich) on mathematical questions, at the
particular request of Mr. proctor Laughton, of Clare-hall,
who drew me into it by a promise of the senior optime of
the year), I was then first informed that subscribing these
articles was a necessary step to taking my degree of B. A.
as well as all other degrees. I had considered long be-
fore at school, and on my admission in 1707, that the uni-
versal profession of religion must much more concern me
through life, to provide for my happiness hereafter, than
the particular profession of physic, which I proposed to
pursue, to provide for my more convenient existence
here : and therefore had selected out of the library left by
my father (who bad himself been a regular physician^
educated under the tuition of sir J. Ellis, M. D. afterwards
master of Caius college), Chillingworth's Religion of a
Protestant; the whole famous Protestant and Popish con^
troversy ; Commentaries on Scripture; and such- other books*
as suited my purpose. I particularly pitched upon three for
perpetual pocket-companions ; Bleau's Greek Testament p
Hippocratis Aphoristica, and Elzevir Horace*;- expecting
from the first to draw divinity, from the second physic,
and'from the last good sense and vivacity.- Here I cannot
forbear recollecting my partiality for St. Luke, because
he was a physician ; by the particular pleasure I took irr
perceiving the superior purity of his Greek, over that of
the other Evangelists. But J did not then know, what I
was afterwards taught by Dr. Freind's learned History of
Physic, that this purity was owiug to his being a physician,*
and consequently conversant with our Greek fathers of
physic. Being thus fortified, I thought myself as well
prepared for an encounter with these articles, as so young
a person could reasonably be expected. I therefore deter-*
mined to read them over as carefully and critically as I
could ; and upon this, met with so many difficulties, ut-
terly irreconcileable by me to the divine original, that I

* In his will, he says, " On my coffin, when, in the grave, I desire may be,
deposited in its leather case, or coffiu, my pocket Elzevir Horace, Cornea
Vise Viteque dulcis et utilis, worn out with and by m«."

BROWNE. 159

almost despaired of ever being able to subscribe them.
But, not to be totally discouraged, I resolved to re-con-4
sider them with redoubled diligence ; and then at last had
the pleasure to discover, in article VI. and XX. what ap-
peared to my best private judgement and understanding
a clear solution of all the difficulties, and an absolute
defeazance of that exceptionable authority, which incon-
sistently with scripture they seem to assume. I subscribe
my name to whatever I offer to the public, that I may be
answerable for its being my sincere sentiment : ever openy
however, to conviction, by superior reason and argument. .

William Brow;nb."
His next was a republication. 11. The pill plot. To
doctor Ward, a quack of merry memory, written at Lynn,
Nov. 30, 1734, 1772, 4to. 12. " Corrections in verse,
from the father of the college, on son jCadogan's Gout
dissertation ; containing false physic, false logic, false phi*
losophy," 1772, 4to. Although these corrections are jo-
cular, it is not intended that they should be less, but
more sensibly felt, for that very reason : according to the
rule of Horace,

■ iy Ridiculum acri
Fortius et melius magnas plerumque secat res.

AD FIL1VM.

Vapulans lauda baculum paternum,
Invidum, filj, fuge suspicari,
Cujus Tf denum trepidavit aetas

Claudere lustrum.

The author repeated these verses to Dr. Cadogan himself,
who censured their want of fhyme; he answered, that
" the gout had a fourth cause, study, which was never his
case : if he did not understand law and gavelkind, he would
not talk to him ; for there were two sorts of gout, free-
hold and copyhold ; the first where it was hereditary, the
otherwhere a person by debauchery took it up." 13.
g* 8peech to the Royal Society," 1772, 4to. 14. " Elogy
and address," 1773, 4to. 15. A Latin version of Job,
unfinished, 4to.

We shall subjoin a well-known epigram by sir William
Browne, which the critics have pronounced to be a good
dne;

'* The king to Oxford sent a troop of hors*,
For tones own no argument but force ;
With equal skill, to Cambridge books he sent,
For whigs admit no force but argument/'

160 BROWNE.

Bat the following, by an Oxonian, which gave rise to thai
by sir William, is at least as good :

" The king, observing with judicious eyes,

The state of both his universities,

To. Oxford sent & troop of horse ; and why ?

That learned body wanted loyalty :

To Cambridge books, as very wll discerning,

How much that loyal body wanted learniag."

Sir William Browne's will, an attested copy of which is
now before us, is not the least singular of his compositions,
and may be said to be written in Greek, Latin, and Eng-
lish. From many of the legacies, however, and particu-
larly his mode of introducing them, we perceive the kind-
ness and benevolence of his heart, which, in the circle of
his more immediate friends, probably atoned for his many-
oddities. The above account of his works sufficiently
shows that he was a very weak man, and with all the con-
ceit which usually accompanies defective judgment. With-
the periodical critics, he was long an object of ridicule,
and conquered them only by writing faster than they had-
patience to read. Unsuccessful, however, as he was him-
self, he determined that better writers should not be with-
out encouragement, and therefore by his will, directed
three gold medals, of five guineas eafcb, to be given yearly
to three undergraduates of Cambridge on the Commence-
ment day, when the exercises are publicly read, and copies
of them sent, by the successful candidates, to sir Martin
Folkes, his grandson by his only daughter. The first, to
him who writes the best Greek ode in imitation of Sappho ;
the second for the best ode in imitation of Horace,; the.
third for the best Greek and Latin epigrams, the former
after the manner of Anthologia, the [atter after the model
of Martial. These have been adjudged since 1775. He
also left a perpetual rent charge of 21/. per annum, upon
sundry estates, for founding a scholarship, which is tenable
for seven years; but the possessor, if of another college,,
must remove to the founder's college, Peter-house^ and .i
reside there every entire term during his under-graduate-
ship. ' "

. BROWNRIG, or BROUNRIG (Ralph), bishop o(r
Exeter, was born at Ipswich in Suffolk, in 1592. His fa- .
ther, who was a merchant of that place, dying when^he

I life in the preceding edit, of this Dictionary.— Nicholas Life of Bawyef.

*• " **

B R O W N R I G, 161

>

was bat a few weeks old, his mother took due cafe of his
education, in which he made a very considerable progress. *
At the age of fourteen, he was sent to Pembroke-hall in
Cambridge, of which he successively becaihe schola* and
fellow ; and there he distinguished himself by his facetious
and inoffensive wit, his eloquence, and his great skill and
knowledge in philosophy, history, poetry, &c. He took
his master's degree in 1617, B. D. in 1621, and D. D. in
1626. He was appointed prevaricator when James I.
visited the university, and discharged that employment to
the universal admiration of the whole audience. His first
preferments were, the rectory of Barley in Hertfordshire,
and a prebend of Ely in 1621, to both which he was col-
lated by Dr. Nicholas Felton, bishop of Ely. July 15, 1628,
he was incorporated doctor of divinity at Oxford. On the
21st of September, 1629, he was collated to the prebend
of Tachbrook, in the cathedral church of Lichfield, which
he quitted September 19, 1631, when he was admitted to
the archdeaconry of Coventry. He was likewise master of
Catherine-hall in Cambridge, and proved a* great benefit
and ornament both to that college and the whole univer-
sity: In 1637, 1638, 1643> and L644, he executed the
office of vice-chancellor^ to the universal satisfaction of all
people, and to his own great credit. In 1641, he was
presented to the eleventh stall or prebend in the church of
Durham, by Dr. Thomas Morton, bishop of that diocese,
to whom he was chaplain. Upon the translation of Dr.
Joseph Hall to the bishopric of Norwich, Dr. Brownrig was
nominated to succeed him in the see of Exeter, in 1041,
Accordingly he was elected March 31, 1642; confirmed
May 14 ; consecrated the day following; and installed the
1st of June. But the troubles that soon after followed,
did not permit him long to enjoy that dignity. Before the
beginning of them, he was much esteemed, and highly
commended, by his relation John Pym, and others of the
presbyterian stamp : but they forsook him, only because
pe was a bishop ; and suffered him* to be deprived of his
revenues, so that he was almost reduced to want. Nay,
once he was assaulted, and like to have been stoned by the
tabble, his episcopal character being his only crime. About
1645, he yas deprived of his mastership of Catherine-hall,
on account of a sermon preached by him before the uni-
versity, on the king's inauguration, at some passages of
which, offence was taken by the parliament pafty ; and
Voi-VIL M

162 BROWNRIG,

neither his piety, gravity, or learning, were sufficient to
preserve him in his station. Being thus robbed pf all, he
retired to the house of Thomas Rich, of Sunning, esq. m.
Berkshire, by whom he was generously entertained : and
there, and sometimes at London, at Highgate, and St.
Edmundsbury, spent several years. During this time, he
had the courage to advise Oliver Cromwell to restore king-
Charles II. to his just rights, but yet he suffered in his
reputation, as not being zealous enough for the church.
About a year before his decease, he was invited to be a
preacher at the Temple, in London, with a handsome al-
lowance; and accordingly he went and settled there, in
good lodgings furnished for htm. But his old distemper,
the stone, coming upon him with greater violence than
usual, and being attended with the dropsy and the -in-
firmities off age, they all together put an end to bis life, on
the 7th of December, 1659 : he was buried the 17th fol-
lowing in the Temple church, where there is an epitaph
over him. He was once married, but never had a child.
Though he was very elaborate and exact in his composi-
tions, and completely wrote his sermons, yet he could not
be persuaded to print any thing in his life-time. Bishop
Brownrig, as to his person, was tall and comely. The
majesty of bis presence was so allayed with meekness, can-
dour, and humility, that no man was farther from any
thing morose or supercilious. He had a great deal of wit,
as well as wisdom ; and was an excellent scholar,- an ad-
mirable orator, an acute disputant, a pathetic preacher,
arid a prudent governor, full of judgment, courage, con-
stancy, and impartiality. He was, likewise, a pereon of
that soundness of judgment, of that conspicuity for an un-
spotted life, and of that unsuspected integrity, that he was
a complete pattern to all. Dr. Gauden, who bad known
him above thirty years, declares that he never heard of any
thing said or done by him, which a wise and good man
would have wished unsaid or undone. Some other parts
of Dr. Gaudem's character of him maybe supposed to pro**
ceed from the warmth of friendship. Echard says of him,
that " he was a great man for the Anti-Arminian cause (for
he was a rigid Calvinist), yet a mighty champion for the
liturgy and ordination by bishops : and his death was highly
lamented by men of all parties." Baxter, Neal, and other
writers of the nonconformist party, are no lesB warm in his
praises. He was one of those excellent men with whom

B R O W N R I G. 163

archbishop TUlotson cultivated an acquaintance at his first
coming to London, and by whose preaching and example
he formed himself. After his death some of Kis sermons
were published, under the title " Forty Sermons, &c."
1662, foL and reprinted with the addition of twenty -five,
making a second volume, 1674, fol. His style is rathet
better than that of many of his contemporaries. l

BROWNRIGG (William), an eminent physician; a
native of Cumberland, was born in 1711, and educated in
medical science at Leyden, under Albinus, Euler, and
Boerhaave. Having taken his medical degree in 1737, he
returned to his native country, and settled at Whitehavert,
where his practice became very extensive: About twenty
years before his death, he retired to Of rriathwaite, where
he died, Jan. 7, 1800, in his eighty-hifitH year, Regretted
as a man of amiable and endearing virtues, and a most
skilful physician. . His principal publications were, I. His
inaugural thesis, " De Praxi medica ineunda," Leyden,
l7S7f 4to. 2. " A treatise on the art of making common
Salt," Lond. 1748, 8vo, which procured him the honour of
being chosen a fellow of the royal society. This work,
wiiich has long been out of print, was praised by Chaptal
and bishop Watson for the profound knowledge of the sub-
ject displayed in it. 3. " An enquiry concerning the mi-
neral elastic spirit contained in the water of Spa in Ger-
many," printed in the Philosophical Transactions, vol. LV.
4. A treatise, " On the means of preventing the commu-
nication of pestilent contagion." A trip to the Spas of
Germany suggested to him the idea of analyzing the pro-
perties of the Pyrmont springs, and of some others, and
led him into that train of nice and deep disquisition, which
terminated in the de-elementizing one of our elements,
and fixing its invisible fluid form into a palpable and visible
substance. All this he effected by producing the various
combinations of gases and vapours which constitute atmo-
spheric air, and separating into many forms this long- sup*
posed one and indivisible, whilst he solidified its fluid es-
sence into a hard substance. That Dr. Brownrigg was the
legitimate father of these discoveries was not only known at

1 Bfog. Brit.— Life and Funeral Sermon by Dr. Gauden, 1660, 8vo.T^Fuller,i
Worthies. — Barwick's Life, see Index. — Clarendon's Hist. vol. II. p. 305.— *
Sylvester^fcife of Baxter, p. 172, 174, 175, &c— Plume's Life of Hacket, p.
12, 13, 16?S5, 44.— Neal's Puritan?, vol. II. p. $$, $44, 4to edit.~-Llpyd's Me-
moirs, fol. p. 404.

M 2

16* BROWNRJG G.

the time to bis intimate apd domestic circle, but also to the
then president of the royal society, sir John Pringle ; who,
when called upon to bestow upon Dr. Priestley the gold
medal for his paper of " Discoveries of the Nature and
Properties of Air," thus observes, " And it is no disparage-
ment to thejearned Dr. Priestley, that the vein of these
discoveries was hit upon, and its course successfully fol-
lowed up, some years ago, by my very learned, very pene-
trating, very industrious, but tqo modest friend, Dr.
•Brownrigg." To habits, indeed, of too much diffidence,
and to too nice a scrupulosity of taste, the' world has to at-
tribute the fewness of his publications. One of his literary
projects, was a general history of the county of Cumber-
land, but it does not appear that he had made much pro-
gress. He assisted Mr. West, however, in his entertain-
ing " Tour to the Lakes," forming the plan of that popu-
lar work. l

BRUC/EUS (Henry), son of Gerard, one of the magis-
trates of Alost, in Flanders, was born in that city in 1531.
Having passed through the usual school edu,cati6n at
Ghent, under Simon, a celebrated master, and at fraris
and Bruges, at which last place he taught school himself
with much credit, he was sent to Rome, where' he taught
the mathematics for some years ; then taming his mind to
the study of medichie, he went to Boulogne, and having
completed his studies, and taken his degree of doctor, he
travelled, for his further improvement, over a great part
of France. At Paris, he was introduced to theacquaiut-
ance of Adrian Turnebus and Peter Ramus. Returning to
Alost, he was made physician and principal magistrate of
the city. As he had become a convert to Lutheranism,'he
readily accepted the invitation of John Albert, duke of
Meckleiibii£gh, to settle at Rostock, where he might with
safety profes$ his religion. He was here appointed pro-
fessor in mathematics, and soon became popular also as a
physician. After residing here 25 years, he was seized
with an apoplexy, of which he died, December 3 i, 1593. His.
writings were, I. " Ds Primo Moiu," 1 580, 8va 2. " In-
stitution^ Spnerae,". 8vo. 3. " Proposiriones de mo'rbo
Gallico," Rostock/ 1569, 4to. 4. " Theses de hydrope
triplici," ibid. 1587. 5., " Descorbuto proposition es," ib.
1589, 1591, Svo, reprinted with Eugalenas's ** I%er Ob-*

* Cent. Mag. 1S0O. ..,.".

BtUC£US. ite

servationum de Scorbuto," Leipsic, 1614. 6. €€ Epistolae
de variis rebus et argumentis medicis," printed with
"Smetii Miscellanea," Francf. 1611* and including bis
theses on the dropsy. l

BRUCE (James), a celebrated modern traveller, de-
scended of an ancient and honourable family, was the son
of David Bruce, esq. of Kinnaird, by Marion Graham,
daughter of James Graham, esq. of Airtb, dean of the fa-
culty of advocates, and judge of the high court of admiralty
in Scotland. He was "born at the family residence of Kin*
naird, in tfie county of Stirling, Dec. 14, 1730. Of his
first years few particulars are recorded of much conse-
quence, except that bis temper, contrary to the character
which it afterwards assumed, was gentle and quiet ; but as
he advanced in life, became bold, hasty, and impetuous,
accompanied, however, with a manly openness, that shewed
the usual concomitant, a warm and generous heart. It
having been determined to give him an English education,
he was sent to London to the house of William Hamilton,
esq. a barrister, and his uncle, with whom he remained
for some time, and in 1742 he was placed at Harrow school,
"where he made great proficiency in classical learning.
After leaving Harrow in May 1746, he lived about a year
in the academy of a Mr. Gordon till April 1747, where he
prosecuted his classical education, and studied French,
arithmetic, and geometry. In- May of that year he re-
turned to Scotland in order to commence a course of study
at the university of Edinburgh, preparatory to his following
this profession of the law ; but it does not appear that he
made much progress, or indeed had much inclination for
«^this /study/ and the precarious state of his health at this
time rendered much study of any kind dangerous. His
own expectations of success in the law became gradually
abated, and various other circumstances determined him
to relinquish it for ever.

In this uncertainty of mind, India offered to his ardent
Imagination a prospect of a more flattering nature. As he
was considerably above the age at which persons are en-
rolled as writers .in the service of the East India company,
his friends advised him to petition the court of directors
for the liberty of settling as a free trade** under its patron -

1 Moreri.— Fopptu Bibl. Bclg. — Mange t and Haller.—Frehtrl Tbeatruai.^*
Jftclchior Adam in fitis medicorum.

IM BRUC

age ; and accordingly he left Scotland in July 11 Si with a
view to prosecute this design ; but he was prevented from
carrying it into execution by forming a connection with an
amiable young lady, Miss Allan, daughter of a wine-mer-
chant in London, whom he married in Feb. 1754. But
though this year did not end with the prosperity with which
it began, this accidental settlement in London changed his
destination*- in life. It detained him in Europe till his
mind waa formed, his knowledge matured, and an oppor-
tunity presented itself of visiting the east with honour and
advantage. In his oivji opinion, it prevented him from
suffering the cruel imprisonment at Calcutta in 1756,
which proved fatal to many of the company's servants. He
now entered into partnership in the wine-business, which,
as. well as his marriage, was approved of by his father; but
bis prospects in this new situation were soon clouded; A
few, months after their marriage, Mrs- Bruce exhibited evi-
dent symptoms of consumption, and being recommended
to try the mild cltiftate of the south of France, expired at
Pari* in October.

:By this melancholy event, Mr. Bruce lost the principal
tie that connected him with business, and although he did
not think it prudent to relinquish a flourishing trade with-
out some equivalent object, relaxed his personal efforts
very considerably, and added to his stock of languages,
the Spanish and Portuguese. He also improved his skill
in drawing, under a master of the name of Bonneau, re-
commended to him by Mr. (afterwards sir) Robert Strange.
Before this time he bad chiefly cultivated that part of
drawing which relates to the science of fortification, ih:
hopes that he might, on some emergency, End it of use in
military service. v But views of a more extensive kind now
induced him to study drawing in general, and to obtain a
correct taste, in painting, so as to be able to visit with ad-
vantage those countries which possess the finest specimens
of skill and genius in that department of the arts.— This
notice of Mr, Bruce's application to the study* of drawing*
we have given in the words of bis biographer, because it'
was fqng and confidently reported by those who wished to-
lessen Mr. Brace's reputation, that he was totally and in*
corrigibly ignorant of the art.

His concern in the wine-trade gave him an opportunity
of travelling over a considerable part of Spain, Portugal,**
and the Netherlands, but hearing of his father's death in

B R U C & 167

1758, he returned to England, and i% 1761 withdrew en-
tirely from the 'wine- trade. He now, from hit observation
while in Spain, suggested to the prime minister, Mr. Pitt,
afterwards lord Chatham, the practicability of a successful
expedition against Ferrol, in Galicia, where the Spaniards
had a considerable harbour, and generally stationed a part
of their navy ; but various circumstances, of which perhaps
Mr. Pitt's resignation was the principal, prevented this
enterprise from being attempted. Disappointed in this,
be resolved to return to his native country, and pass his
time as a private gentleman, cultivating his paternal estate*
One of the new ministers, however, lord Halifax, diverted
him from this design, and suggested Africa to him as a
proper field for enterprize and discovery ; and that he
might go under the protection of a public character, it was
proposed to send him as consul %o Algiers. Bruce acceded
to these proposals, and left England in the end of June
1762. He passed through France and Italy, and carried
with him from the letter country an artist to assist him in
his drawings. For his subsequent adventures, bis travels
into Abyssinia, and his discovery of the sources of the Nile,
&c. we must refer to his published travels. He returned
to his native coiiptry in 1773, and in 1776, he married a
daughter of Thomas Dundas of Fingask, esq. by whom he
had three children, two of whom, a son and daughter, are
still living. After he settled at Kinnaird, bis time was
qhiefly spent in managing his estate, in preparing bis tra*
vels for the press, and other literary occupations ; and he
was preparing a second edition of his Travels, when death
prevented the execution of his design. On Saturday,
April 26, 1794, having entertained some company at Kin-
naird, as he was going down stairs about eight o'clock in:
the evening, to hand a lady into a carriage, his foot slipt,
and be fell from a considerable height. He was taken up
in a .state ef insensibility, and expired early next morning*
. Mr. Bruce' s .figure was above the. common size; his
Kmbs athletic, but well .proportioned ; his complexion
sanguine ;. bis countenance manly and good-tempered ;
and his manners easy and polite. The whole outward man
was such as to announce a character well calculated to con*
tend with the many difficulties and trying occasions, which
so extraordinary a journey could not but have thrown in his
way. His internal characters, the features of bis under-
standing ai>d disposition, seem in a. great measure to have

J6« BRUCE.

corresponded with these outward lineaments. As a country
gentleman, though not without a tincture of haughtiness,
he exhibited the elegance of a man of fashion, and the
hospitality of a Briton. His personal accomplishments
fitted hitn, in a superior manner, for the undertakings in
which he engaged. His constitution was robust, and he
had inured himself to every kind 6f fatigue and exercise.
In tnental accomplishments he equalled, if not surpassed,
the generality of travellers. His memory was excellent,
And his understanding vigorous and well cultivated. He
understood French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, the
two first of which he spoke and wr6te with facility. Be-
sides Greek and Latin, which he read wel1, though not
critically, he knew the Hebrew, Chaldee, and Syriac ; and,
in the latter part of his life, compared several portions of
the scriptures in those related dialects. He read and spoke
with ease, Arabic, Ethiopic, and Amharic. ' Necessity
made him acquainted with these last, and impressed them
deeply on his mind. He had applied, during the greatest
part of his life, to the study of astronomy, and ojther prac-
tical branches of mathematical learning.

The most defective part of his character, his biographer
informs us, arose from his constitutional temper, which
disposed him to be suspicious, and hasty in taking offence.
His enmities therefore were sometimes capricious, though,
in general, well-founded. His love of ancestry, and prac-
tice of telling his own exploits, though magnified into
tices by the weakest of his enemies, scarcely deserve no-
tice as imperfections, though they certainly were protni-
nent features. — They contributed* howevef, in a great
measure, to excite those animosities and that incredulity
which for many years prevailed respecting the veracity of
his narrative.

His "Travels," after many years of eager expectation
on tbe'part of the public, were published in 1790, at Lon-
don, in 5 vols. 4to, under the title " Travels to discover the
Source of the Nile, in the years 1768 — 1773." The reception
they met with was exceeding flattering, yet numerous" at-
tacks were made on the author's character and veracity in
the periodical journals, to which it is unnecessary now to
refer*. It seems agreed that the general credit 4>f the

s

* The late Dr. JLort formed a con- against Bruce, which are bow in the

siderable collection of Memoranda, possession of the editor of this wdrk, in

correspondence, scraps from the Jour- consequence of & purchase at Mr.

pals and Newspapers, Stc for and Gough's sale.

BRUCE. 169

work has survived. We caftnot perhaps quote a higher '.
Authority than that of Dr. Vincent, who observes that
'* Bruce may have offended from the warmth of his tem-
per ; he may have been misled by aspiring to knowledge
and science which he had not sufficiently examined ; but
bis work throughout bears internal marks of veracity, in
all instances where he was not deceived himself; and his
observations were the best which a man, furnished with
| such instruments, and struggling for his life, could ob-

tain." l

. BRUCIOLl (Anthony), a laborious Italian writer, was
born at Florence towards the conclusion of the fifteenth
century. Having meddled in 1522 in the plot formed by
some Florentine citizens against cardinal Julius de Medicis,
afterwards pope Clement VII. he was obliged to expatriate
himself, and withdrew into France. The Medici being
driven out of Florence in 1527, this revolution brought
him back to his country, where the liberty with which he
chose to speak against the monks and priests, raised a
suspicion of his being attached to the opinions of Luther*
He was put into prison, and would not have escaped an
ignominious death but for the kind offices of his friends;
who procured a mitigation of his punishment to an exile of
two years. He then retired to Venice with his brothers,
who were printers and booksellers, and employed their
presses in printing the greater part of his works, of which
the most known and the most in request is the whole Bible
translated into Italian, with annotations and remarks, which
was put by the papists in the number of heretical books of
the first class; but the protestagts held it in such high
esteem that it passed through several editions. The most
>ample and the most scarce is that of Venice, 1546 and
1548, 3 vols, folio. Brucioli pretends to have made hi*
.translation from the Hebrew text: but the truth is, that,
.being but moderately versed in that language, he made.
, use of the Latin version of Pagniai. His other works are,
1. Italian translations of the natural history of Pliny, and
several .pieces of Aristotle and Cicero. 2. Editions of Pe-
trarch and Bocace, with notes. 3. " Dialogues," Venice,
1526, folio. The year of his death is not known; but it
is certain that he was still alive in 1554. 8

1 Life of Bruce by Alexander Murray, F« A. S. E. 4to, 1308, a work of great
interest and impartiality. ' Diet. Hnt.

17* BRUCKER.

BRUCKER (John James), the learned author of the
" History of Philosophy/9 was a Lutheran clergyman, of
whose life we have very few particulars. He was born
Jan. 22, 1696, at Augsburgb, and educated at Jena,
whence he returned to his native place, and in 1724, be-*
came rector of Kafbeueren. He was afterwards pastor of
St. Ulricas church at Augsburgh, where be died in 1770;
Among his works are, I. " Tentamen introductions in
historiani doctrinae de Ideis," Jena, 1719, 4to. 2* u His*
toria philosophica doctrinae de Ideis," Augsburg, 1723, 8vo&
S. " De Vita et Scriptis CI. Efringeri," ibid. 1724, 8vo.
4. " Otium Vindelicum, sive Meletematum Historico-phi-
losophicorum Triga," ibid. 1721, &vo. V w Historia Vitas
Adoiphorum Occonum," Lips. 1734, 4to. 6* " Dissertatio
Epistol. de Vita Hier. Wolfii," ibid. 1739, 4to. 7. " De
Hoeschelii Mentis in Rem Literariam," ibid. 1739, 4to.
8. " Institutiones Histories Philosophies," ibid. 1727, 8vo*
and 1756, 4to. But the most important work, to which
he owes his chief reputation, is his <* Historia Critica Phi-
losophise," published at Leipsic between the years 1742
and 1744, in four large volumes 4to; and repriuted at the
same place in 1767, with large improvements and addi-
tions, in 6 vols. 4to. This was the fruit, of nearly fifty
years labour, and has received the general suffrage of die
learned, as being the most comprehensive, methodical, and
impartial history of philosophy hitherto written* He traces
the progress of philosophy through three periods, the
ancient, the middle, and the modern; in the first be
surveys the state of philosophy in the ancient worlds
prior to the establishment of the Grecian states, and
in the several sects of Grecian philosophers. In the se«
cond, he exhibits the various forms under which it ap-
peared, during the course of twelve hundred years, among
the Romans, the Orientalists, the Jews, the Saracens, and
the Christians. In the third, he relates the attempts, whe*
ther successful or unsuccessful, which have been made
since the revival of letters, to restore, or improve upon,
ancient philosophy, or to introduce new methods of philo-
sophizing. It is both a history of doctrines and of men.
As a history of doctrines, it lays open the origin of opi-
nions, the changes which they have undergone, the distinct
characters of different systems, and the leading points in
which they agree or differ. As a history of men, it relates
the principal incidents in the lives of the more eminent

BRUCKER. 171

philosophers, remarks those circumstances in their charac-
ter or situation which may be supposed to have influenced
their opinions, takes notice of their followers and oppo-
nents, and describes the origin, progress, and decline of
their, respective sects. To this part of his work every col-
lector of biography must own his obligations. A very
judicious and satisfactory abridgement of this work was
published in 1791, 2 vols. 4to, by the late Dr. Enfield.1

BRUGKMAN (Francis Ernest), a German physician
and botanist, was born at Mariensbal, near Helmstadt, Dec.
1 7, 1 697, and having completed his studies, was created
doctor in medicine there, in the year 1721.. As his taste
inclined him to botany, he travelled over Bohemia, Austria,
and a great pat t of Germany, examining and collecting
plants indigenous to those countries, and other natural
productions. In return for his communications to the
Academia Nat Curios, and of Berlin, be was made cor-
responding member of those societies. Having finished
his travels, he settled at Brunswick, where he died March
21 st, 1753, When young, and before he had taken the
degree of doctor, he published : 1. " Specimen Botani-
cum, exhibens' fungos subterraneos, vulgo tubefa terra
dictos,!' Helmst. 1720,. 4to, with engravings. 2. "Opus-
cula Medico . botanica," Brunswick, 1727, 4to. In this
be treats of the medical qualities of various vegetable pro-
ductions, .among others, of coffee, the use of which he
condemns. &, " Epistolae Itinerarise," containing his obser-
vations on vegetable and other natural productions, col-
lected during his travels, in which we find a great body of
uiefol information. 4. " Historia naturalis ts A<r@tff$$ ej us-
que pr^paratorum chart® lini liritei et ellychniorum in-
combustitiilium," Brunsw. 1727, 4to. In this he has
discovered' that the asbestos is susceptible of printing, and
be had four copied of the work printed on this species of
incombustible- paper. 5. " Magnalia Dei in locis subter-
rarieis," a description of all the mines and mineralogical "
productions in every part of the world, Brunswick, and
Wolfeubdttel, 1727, and 1730, 2 Vols, fol.1

BRUCKNER' (John), a Lutheran divine, settled in
England, was born in the small island of Cadsand, near
the- Belgic frontier, Dec. 31, 1726, and was educated '
with a view to* the theological profession, chiefly at th$ v

.t

172 BRUCKNER.

university of Franeker, whence he passed to Leyde*.
There he obtained a pastorship, and profited by the society
of Herasterbuis, of Valkenaer, and especially of the elder
Schultens. His literary acquirements were eminent ; he
read the Hebrew and the Greek ; he composed correctly ;
and has preached with applause in four languages, Latin,
Dutch, French, and English. In 1752, Mr. Columbine,
of a French refugee family, which had contributed to
found, and habitually attended, the Walloon church at
Norwich, was intrusted by that congregation, when he was
on a journey into Holland, to seek out a fit successor to
their late pastor, Mr. Valloten, and applied, after due in-
quiry, to Mr. Bruckner, who accepted the invitation, and
early in 1753 settled as French preacher at Norwich, where
he officiated during fifty-one years, with undiminished ap~
probation* About the year 1766, Mr. Bruckner succeeded
also to Dr. Van Sarn, as minister of the Dutch church, of
which the duties 'gradually became rather nominal than
real, in proportion as the Dutch families died off, and as
the cultivation of their language was neglected by the
trading world for the French. The French tongue Mr.
Bruckner was assiduous to diffuse, and gave public and
private lessons of it for many years. His income was now
convenient and progressive. He kept a horse and a pointer,
£<n he took great pleasure in shooting. He drew occa-
sionally, and has left a good portrait of his. favourite dog.
He cultivated music, and practised much on the organ.
In 1767' was printed at Leyden his " Tb6orie du Systgme

- Animal," in the seventh and tenth chapters of which there
is much anticipation. of the sentiments. lately evolved in
the writings of Mr. Mail thus. This, work was well trans-
lated into English, under the title " A Philosophical
Survey of the Animal Creation,", published for Johnson

- and Payne in 1768. Mr. Bruckner was married in 1782,
v to Miss Cooper, of Guist, formerly his pupil. In 1790, he

published under the name Cassander, from his birth-place,
those " Criticisms on the Diversions of Purley," which at-
tracted some hostile flashes from Mr, Home Tooke, in his
subsequent quarto edition. This pamphlet displays a pro-
found and extensive knowledge of the various Gothic dia-
lects, and Mate* that tbfnsame theory of prepositions and
conjunctions, so convincingly applied in the " Epeapte-
roenta" to the northern languages, had also been taught
concerning the Hebrew and other dead languages bf

BRUCKNER. I7S

Schultens. Mr. Wakefield'* pamphlet against Social Wor-
ship drew from Mr. Bruckner, in 1792, a learned reply.
In the preface to these " Thoughts on Public Worship,"
hopes are given of a continuation still desiderated by the
friends of religion. Mr. Bruckner began a didactic poem
in French ver>e, which had for its object to popularize in
another form, the principles laid down in bis fbeory of
the Auimal System. A gradual failure rather of •spirits

.than of health, seetns often to have suspended or delayed
the enterprise ; to haye brought on a restless and fas-
tidious vigilance ; and to have prepared that termina-
tion of bis iife, which took place on the morning of Satur-
day, May 12, 1804. He was buried, according to his
own desire, at Guist, near the kindred of his respected
wiHow. His society was courted to the last, as his con-
versation was always distinguished for good s^nse, for
argument, and for humour. He was beloved Jfor his at-
tentions and affability ; esteemed for his probity and pru-
dence; and admired for his understanding and learning.1

BRUEGHEL or BREUGHEL (Peter), called Old
Brueghel, to distinguish him from bis son, was the first
of a family of eminent artists. He was born at Brueghel,
a village near Breda, in 1510, and acquired the first prin-
ciples of his art from Peter Cock, or Koeck-van-AeLst,
whose daughter he married. He afterwards travelled in
France and Italy ; studied nature, amidst the mountain* of
Tyrol, arid the scenery of the Alps ; and availed: himself
of the works of the greatest masters in Italy. On his re-
turn from Italy, he resided for some time at Antwerp, and
from thence he removed to Brussels. Whilst he was em-
ployed by the magistrates of this city, in taking views of
the canal which, falls into the. Scheldt, he sickened, and
died in 1570; after having caused to he burned in his
presence, all his licentious and satirical designs. He
chiefly excelled in landscapes, and droll subjects, re*
sembling those of Jerom Boscbe ; and he was particularly
fond of representing the marches of armies, robberies,
skirmishes, sports, dances, weddings, and drunken <juar-

■! rels ; and in order to acquire greater skill and accuracy in
this kind of representations, he often assumed the hab&of
a peasant, and joined the meaner boors at their feasts aud
amusements. His figures wer* correct, and their dm*

} G*nt. M»s- 1*94,

174 BRUEGHEL.

peries well chosen ; the heads and hands were touched
with spirit ; and his expression, though not elegant, wad
true. Sir Joshua Reynolds says, that " he was totally ig-
norant of all the mechanical art of making a picture;99 but
there is in his " Slaughter of the Innocents'9 (which sir
Joshua saw in his travels), a great quantity of thinking, a
representation of variety of distress, enough for twenty
modern pictures. His principal performance is in the
emperor' 6 collection at Vienna, which is the " Reprer
sentation of the building of the tower of Babel, by Nim-
rod.99 Several of his paintings are in the cabinets of the
emperor and elector palatine, and dispersed through va-
rious parts of Europe. For his amusement he engraved
some few landscapes and grotesque subjects. *

BRUEGHEL (Peter), the younger, and sometimes,
called " Hellish Brueghel99 from the nature of his subjects,
was the son of the preceding artist, born at Brussels,
and became the disciple of Gelles Comngsloo. His com-
positions rather excite disgust than satisfaction ; and his .
human figures, though freely pencilled, and not ill co-
loured, are not much more eiegatit than those of the in-
fernal kind. In his historical subjects he generally intro-
duced witches and devils ; such as Orpheus charming Pluto
and Proserpine to procure the deliverance of Eurydice,*.,
surrounded with horrible forms and appearances ; Saul
and the Witch of Endor; or St Anthony's temptations.
He is also enumerated by Stttttt among the engravers. He
died 1642s*

BRUEGHEL (John), known, from his favourite dress;
by the name of Velvet Brueghel, or Feuweeler, was the
son of Peter Brueghel 'th6 old, and consequently brother
to the preceding. He was born at Brussels, in 1560, and
was instructed* probably by bis father, and by other artists;
but, whoever were his instructors, lie acquired an emi-
nence in every art of painting, in colouring, in design,
and in pencilling, far superior to that of his father, and of
all his contemporaries in his style* He began with painting
flowers and fruit, which he executed with admirable skill ;
and then proceeded to landscapes, sea-ports, and markets,
in which he introduced a number of small figures, sur-
prisingly exact and correctly drawn. At Cologne, where

1 Pilkington.— Strutt— Argentine, vol. HL— Descamps. — Sir J. Reynolds's
Works, ▼ol. II. p. 408. . » Piutfngton.— Strutt,— Argenvilk

BRUEGHEL 177

b<e resided for some time, he gained aft extraordinary re*
putation; and his pictures were well known and admired
in Italy, in which country he spent some time. He died,
according to the most probable accounts, in 1625. That
the industry of this artist must have been singular, suffi-t
ciently appears from the number and variety of his pictures,
&tid the exquisite neatness and delicacy of their execution.
It has been lamented, however, by connoisseurs, that his
distances are overcharged with a bluish tinge. Brueghel
pften decorated the pictures of his friends with small
figures, thus greatly enhancing their value ; he was em-
ployed in painting flowers, fruits, animals, and landscape
scenery, in the pieces of history-paintings ; and in thit
way Rubens made occasional use of his pencil. He some-
times joined this master in larger works, which have been
much admired; and particularly in a " Vertumnus and
Pomona/' a picture three feet high and four broad, highly
commended by Houbraken, and sold at Amsterdam for
above 280/. sterling ; and " a Terrestrial Paradise," painted
for Charles I. king of England. In the gallery of the
archiepiscopal palace at Milan, there is an admirable
landscape of Brueghel, representing a desert, in which
Giovanna Battista Crespi painted the figure of St Jerom ;
and among a great number preserved in the Ambrosian li-
brary in that city, there is an oval picture of the Virgin,
painted by Rubens, which is encompassed by a garland of
flowers admirably executed by Brueghel, Most consi-
derable cabinets possess specimens of the art of this master.
Some smatl engravings of landscapes, &c. are also ascribed
toBfuegheL1

BRUEYS (David Augusts), a French writer of a sin-
gular character fpr versatility, was born at Aix, ' iu 1 640;
and trained in the reformed religion, in defence of which
he published some controversial pieces, particularly against
Bossuet's " Exposition de la Foi," or Exposition of the
faith ; but the prelate, instead of answering, converted
him. Brueys, become catholic, combated with the Prote-
stant ministers, with Jurieu, Lenfant, and La Roche ; but
his airy spirit not rightly accommodating itself to serious
works, he quitted theology for the theatre. He composed,
jointly with Palaprat, his intimate friend, several comedies
full of wit and gaiety. We have also of this writer a pro-

1 PilkinstOD.— Strutt.— Argen?ille.

.176 BRUEYS.

aa}c paraphrase or commentary on Horace' s art of poetry*
In bis latter years he became again a controversial writer,
and, as his countrymen say, imitated Bellarmine and
Moliere by turns. He died at Montpellier in 1723, aged
•eighty -three ; and all his dramatic pieces were collected,
1735, in 3 vols. 12mo. His comedies have some merit,
but his tragedies and oth$r works are deservedly sunk into
oblivion. l

BRU H1ER (John James d* Ablaincourt), a French phy-
sician, was born at Beauvais about the end of the seven*
teenth century, and after studying medicine, acquired
considerable reputation by his practice and his writings.
He also arrived at the honour of being royal censor of the
college, and a member of the academy of Angers. He
died in 1756, after having written or edited some works of
merit in his profession : 1. " Observations sur le manuel
des Accoucbments," Paris, 1733, 4to, a translation from
Daventer. 2. " La Medicine Raisonn6e," from Hoffman,
ibid. 1739, 9 vols. 12mo. 3. " Caprices d'imagination, ou
Lettres sur differens sujets," ibid. 1 746, in which he ap-
pears as a physician, metaphysician, moralist, and critic. -
4. " Memoires pour servir a la vie de M. Silva," ibid.
1744, 8vo. 5. " Trait6 des Fievres," from Hoffman, ibid.
1746, 3 vols. 12mo, 6. " La Politique du Medicin," from
the same, ibid. 1751, 12 mo. 7. " Trait6 des Alimens,"
by Lemery, ibid. 1755* 2 vols. 12mo. 8. " Dissertations
surl'incertitudedes signesde lamort, et Pabus des enterre*-
mens et embaumemens precipit6s," ibid. 1742, often re-
printed, and translated into many European languages.
This is the most useful of all his works, and has been the
means of saving many lives. He wrote also some papers
in the Journal des Savans. *

BRUIN, or BRUYN (John de), professor of natural
philosophy and mathematics at Utrecht, was born at Gor—
cum in 1620. He went through a course of philosophy at
Leyden ; and then pursued his studies at Bois-le-duc,4
where he was very much esteemed by Samuel des Marets,, *
who taught philosophy and divinity in that place. He^
went from thence to Utrecht, where he learnt the mathe-
matics, and then removed to Leyden, where he obtained
leave to teach them. He was afterwards made professor at
Utfecht; and because the professors had agreed among;

* Diet Hirt.— Wm& * Bfct. Hist.

BRUIN. 177

«

themselves that every one might teach at home such a part
of philosophy as he should think fit, de Bruin, not con-
tented with teaching what his public professorship re-
quired, made also dissections, and explained Grotius? shook *
" De jure belli et pacis." He had uncommon skill in dis-
secting animals, and was a great lover of experiment* '
He made also observations in astronomy. He published-
dissertations " De vi altrice," u De cbrpontoi gravitate et
levitate," u De cognitione Dei naturali,"? " Daducis causa
et origine," &c. He had a dispute with Isaac Yossius, to
whom he .wrote a letter, printed at Amsterdam; ivr 1 66$ ;
wherein be cites Vossius's book De natura et proprietate
lucis, and strenuously maintains the hypothesis of Des-
cartes. He wrote also an apology for the Cartesian philoso-
phy against a divine, named Vogelsang. Id 1655, he
married the daughter of a merchant of Utrecht, sister to
the wife of Daniel Elzevir, the famous bookseller of Am*
sterdam, by whom he had two children who lived but a
few days. He died in 1675, and his funeral oration was
pronounced by. Graevius. l

BRUMOY (Peter), a celebrated French writer, was
born at Rouen, Aug. 26, 1$88, and commenced his novi-
ciate among the Jesuits of Paris, Sept. 8, 17Q4. In 1706,
he began his philosophical course in the royal college, and
in 1708 was sent to Caen to complete his studies that he
might take orders. Some of his pieces are dated from
that city in 1710 and 1712, and one from Bourgesin 17 Id.
He appears indeed to have passed several years in the
country, where he taught rhetoric. 'In 1713, he returned
to, Paris to study theology, and in 1722 he was again at
Paris, where he took the vows in the society of Jesuits,
and was intrusted with the education of the prince of Tal-
mont. About the same time fi$ assisted in the " Memoirs
of the Arts and Sciences," and continued his labours in
that journal until 1729, when he was obliged to leave Park
for some time for having assisted in publishing father Mar-
* gat's History of Tamerlane, which it appears had given
offence. His absence, however, was not long, and on his
return, or soon after, he was employed in continuing the
" History of the Gallican church,9' , of which six volumes
had been published by fathers Longueval and Fontenay.
la 1725, he was appointed professor of mathematics, and

1 £*o. ©ici^Jtforeri in Iruyp.

Vol. VII. N

178 BRUMOY.

filled that chair for six years with much reputation. It was
probably in this situation that he read his lecture, on the
" use of mathematical knowledge in polite literature,"
now printed in the second volume of his works, nor did his
various public employments prevent his publishing many
other works, which were well received by the public. In
1722 he published, but without his name, his " Morale
Chretienne," Paris, a small volume, of which four editions
were soon bought up. In 1723, he also published the first
of bis three letters, entitled " Examen du poema (de M.
Racine) sur la grace," 8vo, and in 1724, ".La vie de
l'imperatrice Eleonore," taken from that by father Ceva ;
the same year, " Abreg6 des vertus de soeur Jeanne Silenie
de la Motte des Goutes," Moulins, 12mo; and a new edi-
tion of father Mourgues " Traite de la Poesie Francoise,'*
with many additions, 1 2mo. But the work which coiitri*
buted most to his reputation was his " Greek Theatre,**
entitled u Theatre des Grecs, contenant des traductions
et analyses des tragedies Grecques, des discours et des re-
marques concernant la theatre Grec, &c.M 1730, 3 vols,
4to, and often reprinted in l2aio, in France and Holland.
This useful work, not now in such high reputation as for*
merly, is yet well known in this country by the translation
published by Mrs. Charlotte Lennox, in 1760, 3 vols. 4to;
to which the earl of Corke and Orrery contributed a gene-
ral preface, and translated the three preliminary dis-
courses : Dr. Sharpe, Dr. Grainger, and Mr. Bourryau
translated some other parts, and Dr. Johnson contributed &
dissertation on the Greek comedy, and the general con-
clusion of tlje work, which, in this translation, is certainly
highly polished and improved. " Brumoy," says Dr. War^
ton^ "has displayed the excellencies of the Greek tra-*
gedy in a judicious and comprehensive manner. His
translations are faithful and elegant; and the analysis of
those plays, which on account of some circumstances in
ancient manners would shock the readers of this age,' and
would not therefore bear an entire version, is perspicuous
and full. Of all the French critics, he and the judicious
Fenelou have had the justice to confess, or perhaps the
penetration to perceive, in what instances Corueille and
Racine have falsified and modernized the characters, and
overloaded with unnecessary intrigues the simple plots of
the ancients." #

Brumoy was also employed in completing the history of

BRUM OY. 179

Xke ". Revolutions of Spain/1 left unfinished by father
Orleans. This was published in 1734 in 3. vols. 4 to, of
which about a half belongs to our author. He was next
requested by the booksellers to collect his. own miscel- .
Janeous pieces, in prose and verse, and published. 4 vols*
12mo, in 1741. Spine of his poetry is in Latin, with trans-*
lations, and we find here some dramatic pieces. He was
also the editor qf various editions of works at the request
of the booksellers. He was employed on the continuation
of the " History of the Gallican church," when he was
seized with a paralytic stroke, which proved fatal April 17,,
1742. l

BRUN (Charles le), an illustrious French painter, was
of Scottish extraction, and born in 1619. His father was
a statuary by profession. At three years of age it is re*
ported, that he drew figures with charcoal ; and at twelve
he drew the picture of his uncle so well, that it still passes
for a fine piece. His father being employed in the gar-
dens at Seguier, and having brought his son along with
him, the chancellor of that name took a liking to him, and
placed him with Simon Vo^et, an eminent painter, who
was greatly surprised at young Le B run's amazing profit
ciency. He was afterwards sent to Fontajnbleau, to take
copies of some of Raphael's pieces. The chancellor sent
him next to Italy* and supported him, there for six years.
Le Brun, on his return, met with the celebrated Poussin,
by whose conversation he greatly improved himself in his
art, and contracted a friendship with him. which lasted as
long as their lives. Cardinal Mazarin, a good judge of
painting,, took great notice of Le Brun, .and often sat by
him while he was at wTork. |)rA painting of St. Stephen,
which he finished in 1651, raised his , reputation to the
highest pitch. Soon after, this, th$ king, upon the repre-
sentation of M. Colbert, made. him his first painter, and
conferred on h*FP the. order of St. Michael. His majesty
employed two hours every day in looking over him, whilst
he was painting the family of Darius at Fpntainbleau.
About 1662, he began his ^ve large pieces of the history
of Alexander the Great, in which he is said tohaye set the.
actions of that conqueror in a more glorious light than
Quietus Curtius in his, history. He procured several ad-
vantage* for the royal acadeqay of, painting and sculptor*

1 Mortrij— Diet. Hist.— Memoirs de» TrtYOiixfor 174*.

N 2

180 BR UN.

at Paris,- and formed the plan of another for the student*
of his own nation at Rome. There was scarce any tiling
done for the advancement of the fine arts in which he wafc
not consulted. It was through the interest of M. Colbert
that the king gave him the direction of all his works, and
particularly of his royal manufactory at the Gobelins, where
he had a handsome house, with a genteel salary assigned
to him. He was also made director'and chancellor of the
royal academy, and shewed the greatest zeal to encourage
the fine arts in France. He possessed in a great degree
that •enthusiasm which animates the efforts, and increases
the raptures of the artist. Some one said before him of
his fine picture of the Magdalen, " that the contrite peni-
tent was really weeping." — " That,1* said he, " is perhaps
all that you can see ; I hear her sigh." He was endowed
with a vast inventive genius, which extended itself to arts
of every kind. He was well acquainted with the hietory
and manners of all nations. Besides his extraordinary ta-
lents, his behaviour was so genteel, and his address so
pleasing, that he attracted the regard and affection of the
whole court of France : where, by the places and pensions
conferred on him by the king, he made a very-considerable
figure. He died at his house in the Gobelins in 1690,
leaving a wife, but no children. He was author of a curi-
ous treatise of " Physiognomy ;" and of another of the
i* Characters of the Passions."

The paintings which gained him greatest reputation
were, besides what we have already mentioned, those
winch he finished at Fontainbleau, the great stair-case at
Versailles, but especially the grand gallery there, which
was the last of his works, and is said to have taken him up
fourteen years. A more particular account of these, and
a, general character of his other performances, may be
found in the writings of his countrymen, who have been
▼eiy lavish in his praises, and very fall in their accounts
of his works. l

BRUN (John Baptists le), known also by the name
sof Desmarettes, a learned Frenchman, who died at Or-
leans in 1731, advanced in age, was author or editor of
many pieces of ecclesiastical history, lives of the saints,
Ice. but deserves notice chiefly for being the editor of an
excellent edition of Lactantius, collated with valuable ma-

* Arfmiilte^-PilkiBf ton.— Strutt — Peraulft Homme* llluitretf.

BRUN, 181

nuscripts, and enriched with learned notes, which was
published in 1748, 2 vols. 4to, by Lenglet du Fresrooy. l

BRUN (Lawrence le), a French Jesuit, was born at
Nantes in 1607, ai>d died at Pans Sept 1, 1663. He
wrote 'many pieces of Latii* poetry. The principal are,
1. "The Ignatiad," in xii books; the subject is the pil-
grimage of St. Ignatius to Jerusalem. This poem forms a
part of his " Virgilius Christianus ;n in which he has imi- *
tated, with more piety than taste, the eclogues, the georgics*
and the £neid. His " Ovidius Christianus" is in the same
strain : the Heroic Epistles are changed into pastoral letters,
the Tristibus into holy lamentations, and the Metamorphoses
into stories of converted penitents. Father Le firun also
wrote "Eloquentia Poetica," Paris, 1655, 4to, a treatise
in Latin on the precepts of the art of poetry, supported on
examples drawn .from the best authors. At the end is a
treatise on poetical common-places, which may be of ser-
vice to young versifiers. *

BRUN (Peter le), a French priest of the oratory, who
made considerable approaches to liberality and good sense
in his writings, was born at Brignolle, in the diocese of
Aix in Provence, in 166], and became celebrated for his
knowledge of ecclesiastical history and antiquities; on which
subjects he lectured in the seminary of St Magloire* at
Paris, for thirteen years. His first publication appears to
have been against the illusion of the divining rod; " Lettres

?our prouver P illusion des philosophes sur la baguette,"
aris, 1693, reprinted in 1702, with many additions, un-
der the title of " Histoire critique des pratiques aupersti-
tieuses, &c." Of this there was a new edition in 3 vols.
!2mo, 1732, with a life of the author by M. Bellon, bis
nephew, and in 1737 the abbe Granet printed a collection ?

of pieces intended as a fourth volume. He also wrote
against the theatre, as an amusement improper for Chris-,
tians ; but his more elaborate work was that on " Liturgies,"
published in 4 vols. 8vo, containing a history of liturgies,
prayers, ceremonies, &c. including those of the church of
England. This, owing to some liberal opinions, involved
him in a controversy, in which he defended himself with

Jreat ability, but before the contest wae over he dTed*
an. 6, 1729. » . .

» Moreri.— Diet. Hist.

* Mowi.— Mortioff Poljk'wtor.— Bullet Jugemen* jdtt Sawn.— Swrii £ot-
Bwt. * Moreri.— Diet. Hurtb

132 BRUNCK.

BRUNCK (Richard Francis Frederick), a celebrated
Greek scholar and critic, a member of the inscriptions and
belles lettres, and of the institute, was born at Strasburgh,
Dec 30, 1729, and died in that city June 12, 1803. Of
bis history no detailed account has yet appeared in this
country, as far as we have been able to learn. We are only
told that he was first educated in the college of Louis le
Grand at Paris, and that having afterwards engaged in the
civil administration of affairs, he had long neglected the
cultivation of letters, when, in the course of the campaigns
in Hanover, he happened to lodge at Giessen, in the bouse
of a professor of the university. With him he read several
Latin and Greek authors, and was soon inspired with a
great predilection for. the latter language; but the most
remarkable particular is, that some time before his death
he lost on a sudden all taste for the critical and classical
pursuits which he had followed so eagerly and successfully
for upwards of half a century, and this without any visible
decay of his powers either intellectual or physical. Yet,
such was the change, that he totally abandoned all study
of his favourite Greek, and could not be prevailed upon to
cast even a' glance on any of his favourite authors, nor did he
appear to take the smallest interest in the discovery of a
manuscript of Aristophanes, which happened to confirm
the greater part of his dotes and conjectures on that author,
a circumstance, which, at any other period of his life, would
have excited' his warmest enthusiasm. The works for
which the learned world is indebted to his pen are, 1. " Aria-
lecta veterum Poetarum Grafccorum," Strasburgh, 1772-
1776, 3 vols. Svo, reprinted 1785. There is also a quarto
edition. 2. " Anacreontis Carmina," ibid. 1778, 12 mo,
and 1786, beautiful and accurate editions. 3. " jEschyli
Tragcediae, Prometheus, Persse, Septem ad Thebas : So-
phoclis Antigone : Euripidis Medea," ibid. 1779, Svo. 4.
"Sophoclis Electra, et Euripidis Andromache," ibid. 1779,
8vo. 5. "Sophoclis Oedipus Tyrannusj et Euripidis Ores*
tes," ibid. 1779, 8vo. 6. "Euripidis Tragedies quatuor,
Hecuba, Phoenissse, Hyppolytus et Bacchae," ibid. 1780,
8vo, with illustrations from a Parisian MS. an excellent
edition. 7. " Apollonii Rbodii Argonauticar" ibid; 1780,
8vo, the notes and emendations more valuable than those
of any preceding author, but Brunck is accused of em**
ploying conjecture rather too freely. 8. " Aristophanis
Comcedise in Latinurn Sermonem converse," ibid. 1781,

B R U N C K. 183

*

3 vols. 9. " Aristophanis Comcedise ex optimis exem-
plaribus emendatse," ibid. 1783, 8vo, and 4to, containing
the preceding Latin translation and notes and emendations,
one of the best editions of Aristophanes. 10. " Gnomici
Poetae Grseci," ibid. 1784, 8vo. 11. " VirgiHus," ibid.
1785, 8vo. 12. " Sophoclis quae extant omnia, cum ve-
terum Grammaticorum scholiis," ibid. 1786, 4to, 2 vols,
and 3 vols. 8vo, 1786 — 9, an edition of acknowledged su-
periority and value. 13. " Plautus," Bipohf. 1788, 2 vols.
8vo. 14. " Terentius," 1787, from the, press of Daiyibach,
but Mr. Dibdin mentions a Basil edition of 1797, said to
have been superintended by Brunck, and printed in the
same manner with his Virgil of 1789. Br u nek's enthusias-
tic admiration of the authors he edited was such, that he
conceived their writings to have been originally immacu-
late; and therefore attributed to the copyists whatever
errors he discovered. He is, *as we have noticed, accused
of taking some bold freedoms in the restoration of what he
conceived defective, but be was more remarkable for this
in the notes which he wrote on the margins of his books,
and the manuscript copies of some Greek poets which he
left behind him. Of Apollonius Hhodius only he wrote
out five copies. l

BRUNELLESCHI, or BRUNELLESCO (Philip), an
eminent Italian architect, was born at Florence in 1377.
His father was a notary, and his son for some time was
apprenticed to a goldsmith, but afterwards discovered a
turn for geometry, in which he was instructed by Paul
Toscanelli. A journey which he happened to take to
Rome gave, him a taste for architecture, which her im-
proved by the study of the edifices in that city, and had a
very early opportunity of trying his skill. A dome was
wanted for the church of St Maria del Fiore at Florence ;
the ablest architects had been requested to send in their
plans, and that of Brunelleschi was adopted, and carried
into execution with' an effect which astonished Michael
Angelo himself. He was next employed by Cosmo the
Great in building the abbey of Fesoli, and was afterwards
solicited for the plan of a palace for Cosmo. Brunelleschi
accordingly gave in, a design of great magnificence, but
Cosmo thought proper to prefer one more suited to the
prudent economy which was then necessary for him, and
Brunelleschi was so irritated that he destroyed his design.

* Diet Hilt.— Saxii Onomast vol. VIII,— Dibdia's Classics.

y

M4 • , BRUNELLESOHL

Brunejlegchi afterwards built the Pitt i palace, in part, and
the church of St, Lorenzo in Florence almost entirely. He
also gave some designs in military architecture. He is
said to have been the first who attempted to restore the
Grecian orders of architecture, and under his control this
branch of the art attained a degree of perfection whjch it
bad not known from the time of the ancients. Brunelleschi
died in 1446, greatly lamented, and was interred with
sumptuous funeral honours, and Cosmo erected a monu-
ment to his memory. He is said to have employed his
leisure hours in cultivating Italian poetry, and some of bin
burlesque verses have been printed along with those of
Burchiello ; there is a separate poem, " Geta e Birria,"
ascribed to him and to Domenico dal Prato, Venice, 1516,'
8vq, but this seems doubtful. It is more certain that he>
wrote architectural descriptions of all his works, some of
which are, or lately were, fn Cosmo's palace at Florence^
Siow the residence of the noble family of Riccardi. *
BRUNETTO. SeeLATlNI.

BRUNI, or ARETINE (Leonard), a very eminent scho^
lar and historian, derived bis name of Aretine, or Aretino,
from Arezzo, in which city he was born 'in the year 1370y
of parents sufficiently wealthy to bestow on him a good
education. In his early youth he was incited to a love of
letters by an extraordinary accident A body of French
troops, who were marching to Naples to assist Louis of
Anjou in maintaining his claim to the sovereignty of that
kingdom, at the solicitation of the partizans of a faction"
which had been banished from Arezzo, made «n unex*
pected attack upon that city; and, after committing a
great slaughter, carried away many of the inhabitants into
captivity ; and, among the rest, the family of Brum. Leo-
nardo being confined in a chamber in which hong' a por-
trait of Petrarch, by daily contemplating the lineaments of
that ilkiftrious scholar, conceived so strong a desire to sig-
Halite himself by literary acquirements, that immediately
upon his enlargement tie repaired to Florence, where he
prosecuted his studies with unremitting diligence* under
the direction of John of Ravenna, and Manuel Chrysoloras.
During his residence at Florence, he contracted a strict
intimacy with the celebrated Poggio-Bracciolini, and the
latter being afterwards informed by Leonardo that he
wished to procure a presentation to some place of honour

i Diet Hift.«~Argewriile,— Jtacoe's taenio*

B R U N I. 18*

•r emolument in the Roman chancery, took eveiy oppor-
tunity of recommending him. In consequence of this,
pope Innocent VII. invited him to 'Rome, where he ar-
rived March 24, 1405, but was at first disappointed in his
hopes, the place at which he aspired being intended for
another candidate, Jacopo d'Angelo. Fortunately, bow-*
ever, the pope having received certain letters from the
duke of Berry, determined to assign to each of the com-
pet i tors .the task of drawing up an answer to them, and the
compositions being, compared, the prize was unanimously
adjudged to Leonardo, who was instantly advanced to the
dignity of apostolic secretary, and by this victory consi-
derably increased his reputation, as his competitor was a
man of very considerable talents. (See Angelo, James.)
In 1410 Leonardo was elected chancellor of the city of
Florence, but finding it attended with more labour than
profit, resigned it in 1411, and entered into the service of
pope John XXII. and soon after went to Arezzo, where
he married a young lady of considerable distinction in that
city. He was thought by his contemporaries rather too
attentive to the minutiae of economy, and having married a
lady who loved dress and ornaments, was somewhat disap-
pointed. In a letter to his friend Poggio, after giving an
account of his marriage expences, he adds, " In short, I
have in one night consummated my marriage, and con-
sumed my patrimony." In 1415 he accompanied pope John
XXIII. to the council of Constance, and this pope having
been there deposed, Leonardo returned to Florence, where
he was chosen secretary to the republic, and was employed
in several political affairs of importance. He died in the
beginning of 1444, and was interred with the most solemn
magnificence in the church of Santa Croce, with the fol-
lowing ihscriptioo, which is still legible, but not worthy of
the object :

Fostqnun Leonaidus e vita, migravit,
Hiitoria luget, Eloquentia muta est.
Ferturqi*e Musat turn Grocas turn Latinas
Lacrimas teaere nan poluisse.

Leonardo . Broni was not only one of the most learned
men of his age, . but one of the most amiable in character
and maqffters, nor was his fame confined to Italy. The
Warned of Fra-ace ^ud Spam travelled to Florence to have
the Jtonouc of seeing him, and it is said that a Spaniard
who was ordered by the king to pay him a visit, knelt
down in his presence, and could with difficulty be per*

196 B R U N L

soaded to quit that bumble and admiring posture. These
honours, however, excited no pride in Leonardo. The
only failing of which he has been accused is that of avarice j
but, as one of his biographers remarks, that name is some-
times given to prudence and economy. His friendships
were lasting and sincere, and he was never known to re-
sent ill-usage with much asperity, unless in the case of
Niccolo Niccoli, who appears to have given him sufficient
provocation. The case, indeed, on the part of Niccoli
appears abundantly ridiculous ; a termagant mistress whom
he kept had been publicly disgraced, and Niccoli expected
that his friends should condole with him on the occasion.
Leonardo staid away, for which Niccoli reproached him,
and when Leonardo offered him such advice as morality as
well as friendship dictated, irritated Leonardo by his
reiterated reproaches and insulting language. The con-
sequence was a satire Leonardo wrote, a manuscript copy
of which is in the catalogue, although not now in the li-
brary, of New college, Oxford. The title of it was " Le-
onardi Florentini oratio in nebulonem maledicum." It ap-
pears by Mehus's catalogue of his works to be in the Lau-
rentian library. Poggio, however, at last succeeded in
reconciling the parties.

If, according to some, Leonardo was occasionally im-
patient in his temper, and too apt to take offence, his late
biographer has given an anecdote which shews that he had
the good sense to be soon convinced of his error, and the
ingenuousness of spirit to confess it. Having engaged in
a literary discussion with Gianozzo Manetti, he was so
exasperated by observing that the bye-standers thought
him worsted nn argument, that he vented his spleen in
outrageous expressions against his antagonist. On the fol-
lowing morning, however, by break of day, he went to
the house of Gianozzo, who expressed his surprize that a
person of Leonardo's dignity should condescend to honour
him so far as to pay him an unsolicited visit. On this,
Leonardo requested that Gianozzo would favour him with
a private conference, and thus apologized for the warmth
of his temper : " Yesterday I did you great injustice ; but
I soon began to suffer punishment for my offence, for I
have not closed my eyes during the whole night, and I
could not rest till I -had made to you a confession of my
fault" Mr. Shepherd justly observes, that the man who
by the voluntary acknowledgment pf an errdr could thus

8 R D N I. 187

frankly throw himself upon the generosity of one whom he
had offended, must have possessed in his own mind a fund
of probity and honour. The failings of Leonardo were*
indeed amply counterbalanced by his strict integrity, his
guarded temperance, his faithful discharge of his public
duties, and his zeal in the cause of literature.

His works are, 1. " Historiarum Florentini populi, lib.
duodecim," StrasbuTgh, 1610, fol. The Italian translation
by Acciajolo was printed at Venice, 1473, 1560, and 1561,
and at Florence, 1492. 2. " Leonardi Aretini de Tem-
poribus suis Libri duo," fol. Venice, 1475 and 1485, &c.
3. " De Bello Italico adversus Gothos gesto Libri quatuor,"
founded upon the Greek history of Procopius, Foligno,
1470, and often reprinted. 4. " De Bello Punico Libri
tres," Brix. 1498, &c. 5. " Commentarium Rerum Grse-
car»:m," Leyden, 1539, &c. 6. " Isagogicon moralis dis-
ciplinae ad Galeotum Ricasolanum." This work also bears
the title of " Dialogus de moribus, &c." and under the
title of " Aristotefes de moribus ad Eudemum Latine Leon.
Aretino interprete," was printed at Louvain, 1475, &c. 7.
" Ad Petrum Histrium dialogorum Libri," Basil, 1536,
and Paris, 1642. 8. " De Studiis et Literis ad illustrem
Dominum Baptistam de Malatestis," Strasburgh, 1521, &c.

9. " Laudatio Joan. Strozzae," in Baluzzi's Miscellanies.

10. u Imperatoris Heliogabali oratio protreptica," pub-
lished by Aldus Manutius in his " Hist Augustae Scriptores
Minores." 11. "Oratio in Hypocritas," printed in the
Fasciculus of Ortuinus Gratius, Cologn, 1535, Leyden,
1679, and London, 1691. 12. " La vita di Dante e i costu-
mi e studj di ' Petrarca." The life of Petrarch was edited
by Phil. Tomasinus in his " Petrarca Redivivus," Padua,
1650, and was reprinted with the life of Dante, 1671. 13.
" Magni Basilii Liber in Latinum translatus," Brix. 1485,
&c. 14. Seven of Plutarch's Lives translated from the
Greek, BasiJ, 1542. 15. "Apologia Socratis," Bonon,
1502. 15. "Aristotelis Ethicorum Libri decern," Paris,
1504 and 1510, &c. 16. " Aristotelis Politicorum, libri
octo.V Venice, 1504, &c. 17. " Oeconomicorum Aristo-
telis Libri duo," Basil, 1538. 18. " Oratio ^schinis in
Ctesiphontem," Basil, 1528, 1540. 19. "Oratio Demo-
sthenis contra ^schinem," ibid. 1528. 20. " De crudeli
amoris exitu Guisguardi, &c." a translation of one of Boc-
caccio's tales, Turon. 1467, printed also in the works of
Pius II. 21. " Epistolarum Libri VIII." 1472, fol. often

188 B R U N I.

reprinted. 22* "Canzone morale di Messer Lionardo,"
printed in the third volume of Crescembini's Italian poetry.
The numerous editions through which many of his works
passed afford a sufficient indication of the esteem in which
they were held by the learned of the fifteenth and six-
teenth centuries. *

BRUNNE (Robert de), or Robert Mannyng, the first
English poet who occurs in the fourteenth century, was
born probably before 1270, as he was received into the
order of black canons at Brunne, about 1288. Malton
appears to have been his birth-place, but what Malton is
doubtful. He was, as far as can be discovered, merely a
translator. His first work, says Wartqn, was a metrical

Earaphrase of a French book, written by Robert Grosthead,
ishop of Lincoln, called " Manuel Pecche" (Manuel des
P6ch&), being a treatise on the decalogue, and on the
seven deadly sins, which are illustrated with many legen-
dary stories. It was never printed, but is preserved in the
Bodleian library, MSS. No. 4 15, and in the Harleian MSS.
No. 1701. His second and more important work is a me-
trical chronicle of England, in two parts, the former of
which (from iEneas to the' death of Cadwallader) is trans-,
lated from Wace's " Brut d'Angleterre," and the latter
(from Cadwallader to the end of the reign of Edward I.)
from a French chronicle written by Peter de Langtoft, an
Augustine canon of Bridlington in Yorkshire, who is sup*
posed to have died in the reign of Edward II. and was
therefore contemporary with his translator. Hearne has
edited Robert de Brunne, but has suppressed the whole of
bis translation from Wace, excepting the prologue, and a
few extracts which he found necessary to illustrate his
glossary. Mr. Ellis, to whom we are indebted for this ar-
ticle, has given some specimens of de Brunne' s work. *

fiRUNNER (John Conrad), a Swiss physician and ana-
tomist of eminence, was born at Diessenhofen, the 16th of
January, 1653. After passing through the usual school
education, h4 was sent, at the age of sixteen, to Stras-
burgh, where, applying assiduously to the study of physic
and anatomy, he was created doctor in medicide in 1679.

i Shepherd's Life of Pogfio Bracciolbi, p. 29/45, 132, 3S8.«- Gingueot Hift.
Jit. d'ltalie, vol. III. p. 294.— Gen. Diet— Fabric. BibL Lat. Med.— Saxit
• Osoroatt.

* Elli*'* Specimen!, vol. 1. p. 11*.— Waftoa's Hift, of Poetry, vol. I. p. 4a,
44, 69, 62—4—6, 72—7—8, 9>» 97, 1*5, 115, US, 120—1, 156-^8, 1*1, 166,
- 173, 193, 214, 225, 253,

brunner: is*

For his thesis, he gave the anatomy of a child with two
heads, which he met with. He now went to Paris, and
attended the schools and hospitals there with such assi-
duity, as to attract the notice, and gain him the intimacy
of Dionis and du Verny, who were present while he made
the experiments on the pancreas, which enabled him, some
years after, to publish a more accurate description of that
viscus, than had been before given, under the title of " Ex-
perimenta nova circa Pancreas. Accedit Diatribe de Lym-
pha et genuino Pancreatis usu," Leidte, 1682, 8vo. He
proved that the fluid secreted by the pancreas is not ne-
cessary to digestion, and that an animal may live after that
viscus is taken out of the body, having tried the experiment
upon a dog, which perfectly recovered from the operation.
On quitting Paris, he came to London, and was introduced
to Dr. Willis, Lower, and Henry Oldenburg, secretary to
the royal society. From England he passed to Holland,
and studied for some months at Leyden. At Amsterdam
he visited Swammerdam and Ruvscb, with whom he after-
wards corresponded. Returning ;home he was made pro-
fessor of medicine at Heidelberg, and first physician to the
elector palatine, who conferred on him the title of baron
de Brunn in Hamerstein. About the same time, he married
one of the daughters of the celebrated Wepfer, and was
elected honorary member of the academia naturae curios,
in return for some ingenious dissertations which he had
communicated to them. In 1688 he publised " Disserta-
tio Anatomica de Glandula pituitaria," Heidelb. 4to. From
this time he 'became in such great request for his know-
ledge and success in practice, that he was, in succession,
consulted by most of the princes in Germany. Among
pthers, in 1720, he was sent for to Hanover, to attend the
prince of Wales, afterwards king George II. In 1715 he
published at Heidelberg, " Glandula Duodeni seu Pan-
creas secundum detectum," 4to, which was only an im-
• proved edition of his " De Glandulis in D&odeno lntestino
detectis," which had been before twice printed. There
are some other lesser works, the titles and accounts of,
which are given by Haller, in bis Bib. Anat. In the latter
edition of Wepfer's works are given dissections by our au-
thor, of the heads ?f some persons who died of apoplexy^
of whom he had had the care. Though early afflicted with
gravel, and in the latter part of his life with gout, he con-
tinued to attend ta the calls of his patients, though living

190 BRUNNER.

a great distance from bis residence. When m his 74th
year, he went in great baste to Munich, to attend the
elector. Maximilian Emanuel; on his return, he was seized
with a fever, which, in a few days, put an end to his life,
October 2, 1727. l

BRUNO (St.) founder of the Carthusian monks, was
descended from an ancient and honourable family, and
born, at Cologn about the year 1030. He was educated
first among the clergy of St. Cunibert's church at Cologn,
and afterwards at Rheims, where he attracted so much
notice by his learning and piety, that on a vacancy oc-
curring, he was promoted to the office br rank of Scbolas-
ticus, to which dignity then belonged the direction of the
studies, and all the great schools of the diocese. In this
office, which he filled with great reputation, he continued
until 1077, when the scandalous conduct of Manasses,
archbishop of Rheims, who, by open simony had got pos- *
session of that church, induced him to join with some
others in accusing Manasses in a council held by the pope's
legate at Autun. Manasses accordingly was deposed, and
the church of Rheims was about to choose Bruno for his
successor in the archbishopric, when he resigned his office,
and persuaded some of his friends to accompany him into
solitude. After searching for some time to discover a
proper place, they arrived at Grenoble in 1084, and re--
quested the bishop to allot them some place where they
might serve God, remote from worldly affairs. The bishop
having assigned them the desert of Chartreuse, and pro-
mised them his assistance, Bruno and his companions, six
in number, built an oratory there, and small cells at a little
distance one from the other like the ancient Lauras of Pa-
lestine, in which they passed the six days of the week, but
assembled together oi> Sundays. Their austerities were
rigid, generally following those of St. Benedict ; and,
among other rules, perpetual silence was enjoined, and all
their original observances, it is said, were longer preserved
unchanged than those of any other order. Before the late
revolution in France, they had 172 convents divided into
sixteen provinces, of which five only are said to have been
nunneries, all situated in the catholic Netherlands, and
where the injunction of silence was dispensed with. There

1 Haller and Manget. — Rees's Cyclopaedia.

B R U N O. 191

were nine monasteries of this order in England at .the dis-
solution under Henry VIII.

After St. Bruno bad governed this infant society for six
years, he was invited to Rome by pope Urban II. who bad
formerly been his scholar at Rheims, and now received him
with every mark of respect and confidence, and pressed him
to accept the archbishopric of Reggip. This however he
declined, and the pope consented that be should withdraw
into some wilderness on the mountains of Calabria, Bruno
found a convenient solitude in the diocese of Squiliaci,
where he settled in 1090,. with some new disciples, until
his death, Oct. 6. 1101. There are only two letters of his
remaining, one to Raoul le Verd, and the other to his
monks, wbich are printed in a folio volume, entitled "S.
Brunonis Opera at Vita," 1524, but the other contents of
the volume belong to another St. Bruno, first a monk of
Soleria in the diocese of Ast, and henfce called Astiensis.
He distinguished himself at the council of Rome in 1079
against Berenger, and was consecrated bishop of Segni by
Gregory VII. He died in 1125, and is reckoned among
the fathers of the church. He is reputed to have written
with more elegance, clearness, and erudition, than most
authors of his time, and there are several editions of his
works. The Carthusian Bruno wrote on the Psalms and
on some of St. Paul's epistles. He followed the system of
Augustine concerning grace, but it seems doubtful if any
genuine works of his remain, unless what we have men-
tioned. '

BRUNO (Jordan), an Italian writer to whom atheism
has been generally, but unjustly, imputed, was born at'Nola
in the kingdom Qf Naples, about the middle of the six-
teenth century. His talents are said to have been consi-
derable, but this is hardly discoverable from his works : he
early, however, set up for an inquirer and innovator, and
very naturally found many things in the philosophy and
theology then taught in Italy, which he could not compre-
hend. Being fond of retirement and studjr, he entered
into a monastery of Dominicans, but the freedom of his
opinions, and particularly of his censures on the irregu-
larities of the fraternity, rendered it soon necessary to
leave bis order and his country. In 1582, he withdrew to

* Butler's Lives of the Saints.— Dupin.—Mosheim, &c.

19t BRUNO.

i

Geneva, where his heretical opinions gave offence to Cal-
vin and Beza, and he was soon obliged to provide for biff
safety by flight After a short stay at Lyons he came to
Paris, and his innovating spirit recommended him to the
notice of multitudes, who at this time declared open hos-
tilities against the authority of Aristotle. In a public dis-
putation, held in the royal academy, in 1586, he defended,
three days successively, certain propositions concerning
nature and the world, which, together with brief heads of
the arguments, he afterwards published in Saxony, under
the title of " Acrotismus," or " Reasons of the physical
articles proposed against the Peripatetics at Paris." The
contempt with which Bruno, in the course of these debates,
treated Aristotle, exposed him to the resentment of the aca-
demic professors, who were zealous advocates for the old sys-
tem ; and he found it expedient to leave the kingdom of France.
According to some writers, he now visited England, in th$
train of the French ambassador Castelneau, where he was hos-
pitably received by sir Philip Sydney and sir Fulke Greville,
and was introduced to queen Elizabeth. But though it is
certain from his writings that be was in England, he pro-
bably made this visit in some other part of his life, and we
should suppose before this, in 1583 or 1584. For, about
the middle of the same year in which he was at Paris, we
find him, at Wittenburg, a zealous adherent of Luther.
In this city he met with a liberal reception, and full per-
mission to propagate his doctrines : but the severity with
which he inveighed against Aristotle, the latitude of hid
opinions in religion as well as philosophy, and the contempt
with which he treated the masters of the public schools,
excited new jealousies ; and complaints were lodge*
against him before the senate of the university. To escapg
the disgrace which threatened him, Bruno, after two years
residence in Wittenburg, left that place, and took refuge
in Helmstadt, where the known liberality of the duke of
Brunswick encouraged him to hope for a secure asylum.
But either through the restlessness of his disposition, or
through unexpected opposition, he went next year to
Francfort, to superintend an edition of his works, but be-
fore it was completed was obliged again, probably from
fear of persecution, to quit that city. His next residence
was at Padua; where the boldness .with which he taught
his new doctrines, and inveighed against the court of
Rome, caused him to be apprehended and brought before-

BRUNO. 193

the inquisition at Venice. There he was tried, and con-
victed of his errors. Forty days being allowed him to de-
liberate, he promised to retract them, and as at the expira-
tion of that term, he still maintained his errors, he obtained
a further respite for forty days. At last, it appearing that
ite imposed upon the pope in order to prolong his life, sen-
tence was finally passed upon him on the 9th of February
1600. He made no offer to retract during the week that
was allowed him afterwards for that purpose, but under-
went his punishment on the 17th, by being burnt at a stake.

Many modern writers have very successfully wiped off
the aspersion of Bruno's being an atheist; but, whatever
he was with respect to religion, his character appears never
to have risen much higher than that of a dealer in para-
doxes. Brucker, who seems to have examined his works,
and whose history we have chiefly followed in the pre-
ceding account, says, that a luxuriant imagination supplied
,him with wonderful conceptions, intelligible only to a few,
which were never formed into a system. Not possessing
that cool and solid judgment, and that habit of patient at-
tention, which are necessary to a thorough investigation of
subjects, he frequently embraced trifling and doubtful pro-
positions as certain truths. His ideas are for the most part
wild and fantastic, and he indulged himself in a most un-
bounded liberty of speech. Some of his original concep-
tions are indeed more luminous and satisfactory, and nearly
coincide with the principles of philosophy afterwards re-
ceived by Des Cartes, Leibnitz, and others.. But these
sparks of truth are buried in a confused mass of extravagant
and trifling dogmas, expressed in a metaphorical and in-
tricate style, and unmethodically* arranged. Brucker
thinks that his doctrine was not founded, as Bayle and La
Croze maintain, on the principles of Spinozisra, but oil
the ancient and absurd doctrine of emanatioiv

His most celebrated philosophical pieces are. the follow-*
jng : 1. De Umbris Idearum, " On Shadows of Ideas.'* 2.
De l'lnfinito, Universo, et Mondi, " Of Infinity, the Uni-
verse, and World." 3. Spaccio della Bestia triomfante,
" Dispatches from the Triumphant Beast.'* 4. Oratio
valedictoria habita in Academia Wittebergensi, " A fare-
well Oration delivered in the University of Wittenberg.'*
5. De Monade, Numero, et Figura, " Of Monad, Num-
ber, ,and Figure." 6. Summa Terminorum Metaphysi-
corum, " Summary of Metaphysical Terms." Of these

Vol. VII. O

194 B R U N O.

the satirical work, " Dispatches from the Beast triumphant,"
is the most celebrated. Dr. Warton, in a note upon Pope's
Works, asserts on the authority of Toland, that sir Philip
Sidney was " the intimate friend and patron of the famous
atheist Giordano Bruno, who was in a secret club with him
and sir Fulk Greville, held in London in 1587, and that *
the " Spaccio1' was at that time composed and printed in
London, and dedicated to sir Philip.9' But, besides that
this date must be wrong, sir Philip Sidney having died the
preceding year, it appears evidently from the account of
the "Spaccio" given in the Spectator, No. 389*, that it
was a very harmless production, founded upon a poetical
fiction, and little adapted to make any man a convert to
atheism. . We refer, however, to Dr. Zouch's Memoirs of
Sir Philip Sidney for an ample defence both of sir Philip,
and Bruno, whose greatest crime, in the eyes of the inqui-
sition, was rather Lutheranism than atheism.1

BRUNSFELS, or BRUNFELT (Otho), a physician of
the sixteenth century, and one of the first modern resto-

* " Nothing has more surprised the that it is pot to be wondered at, since

learned in England, than the price there were so many scandalous stories

which a small book, entitled Spaccio of the deities; upon which the author

della Bestia triomphaute, bore in a late takes occasion to cast reflections upon

auction. This book was sold for thirty all other religions, concluding that Ju-

pouixls. As it was written by one piter, after a full hearing, discarded

Jordanus Brunu?, a professed athefct, the deities out of heaven, and called

with a design to depreciate rcl.gion, the stars by the names of moral vir-

every one was apt to fancy, from the tues."

extravagant price it bore, that there The price of this work above-men-

must be something in it very formula- tioned is not quite correct, it was *

ble. I must confess, that, happening sold at that time (1711) at the auction

to get a sight of one of them myself, I of the library of Charles Bernard, esq.

could not forbear perusing it with this for 2$l. aud purchased by Walter Cla-*

apprehension ; but found there was so vel, esq. The same copy successively

very little danger in it, that J shall came into the several collections of

venture to give my readers a fair Mr. Jehn Nickolls, Mr. John Ames,

account of the whole plan upon which sir Peter Thomson, and M. C. Tutet,

this wonderful treatise is built. The esq. at the sale of whose library in

author pretends, that Jupiter once 1786, it was bought by the late Sa-

upon a time resolved on a reformation muel Tyssen, esq. for seven guineas*

6f the constellations ; for which pur- Another copy was sold at Dr. Mead's

pose having summoned the stars to- sale 1754, for four or five guineas,

gether, he complains to them of the The worst that can be said of this book

great decay of the worship of the gods, is, that Toland was fond of it, and

which he tboifght so much the harder, very desirous t6 prove from sir P. Sid-

having ealled several of those celestial ney's connection with the author, that

bodies by the names of the heathen sir P. inclined to infidelity; hut from

deities, and, by that means, made the this insinuation Dr. Zouch has ably

heavens, as it were, a book of the vindicated him. »

pagan theology. Momus tells him,

i Brucker.— Gen. Diet. — Moreri. — Zouch's Memoirs of Sir Philip Sidney, p.
337, &&—- Nichols's Bo wyer.

*

BRUNSFELS. . IM

ters of botany, was born at Mentz, and originally brought'
up to the church. After his theological studies he took
the habit of the Carthusians of Mentz, but was one of the
1 earliest converts to Lutheranism, and having made his es-
cape from his monastery, became a zealous preacher of
the reformed religion. This appears to have involved him
with Erasmus, who, in Brunsfels' opinion, was rather a
time-server. Having lost his voice, however, by a disor-
der, he was obliged to give over preaching, and went to
Strasburgh, where the government of the college was com-
mitted to his care. During a residence of nine years in
this pity he studied medicine, and was created doctor at
Basil in' 1530. He was soon after invited to Berne in
Swisserland, where he died six months after, Nov. 23f
1534. Whilst at Strasburgh, he published two small tracts
to facilitate the study of grammar to children, annotations on
the gospels, and on the acts of the apostles, and an answer to
Erasmus's " Spongia," in defence of Hutten. The follow-
ing are the principal of his botanical and medical works :
<c Catalog us illustrium Medicorum," 1530, 4to. (i Herbarum
vivae icones, ad naturae imitatipnem, summa cum diligentia
et artificio efficiatse, cum effectibus earundem," 1530, 1531,
1536, 3 vols. fol. The plates are much commended by
Haller, who, on account of this work, ranks the author
among the* restorers of botany. " Theses, seu communes
loci totius Medicinae, etiam de usu Pharmacorum, Argen-
tina," 1522, 8vo. " Onomasticon Medicinae, nomina con-*
tinens omnium stir pi una, &c. Argent, 1534, folio.1

BRUNSWICK-OELS (Frederick Augustus, Dukr
of), a general of infantry in the Prussian army, an hono-
rary member of the royal academy'of sciences of Berlin, and,
second cousin to his Britannic majesty, was born at Bruns-
wick, Oct. 20, 1741. He was the second son of Charles,
reigning duke of Brunswick, by the duchess Philippine-
Charlotte, daughter of Frederick William I. king of Prus-
sia, and sister to Frederick the Great. His education was
intrusted to men of talents and virtue, and his progress wash
in proportion. He entered the military service in 176],
as colonel of his father's regiment of infantry in the allied
army, vrnder the commanded in chief, his uncle, the duke
Ferdinand. In that year, and in 1762, he distinguished

* Moreri. — Melchior Adam. — Freheri Theatrum.— Stoerer's Life of LinnftUSj
». $4,— Jortia's £ra8BUS.«-Haller and Manget,

0 2

1M- BRUNSWICK.

himself in several actions. In 1763, he entered into the
service of Frederick II. king of Prussia, and in 1768 mar~
ried the only daughter of the reigning duke of Wirtem-
berg-Oels. From that time he fixed his .residence entirely
at Berlin, where he devoted his time to military and lite-*
rary studies. His father-in-law dying about the end of the
year 1792, he succeeded him in the principality of Oels,
to which he went in the month of June 1793. The follow-
ing year he resigned all his military preferments, in order
to attend to his principality, and was not more distin-
guished as a statesman and a soldier than as a patron of
learning and learned men, contributing liberally to the
publication of many useful works. He died at Weimar
Oct. 8, 1805.

The following is a list of his works, which are in general
but little known, as he printed them at his own expence,
principally for distribution among his friends. 1. " Con-
siderazioni sopra le cose della grandezza dei Romani,
trad, del Montesquieu," Berlin, 17 64, 8vo. 2. " Refles-
sioni critiche sopra il carattere e le gesta d'Alessandro
Magno," Milan, 1764, 8vo. This was translated both into
French and English, the latter in 1767 ; and a new edition
of the original was reprinted at Berlin in 1803, 8vo.

3. A German translation of the €€ Heureusement," a co-
medy of Rochon de Chabannes, Brunswick, 1764, 8yo.

4. A German translation of the tragedy of " Regulus,"
Potsdam, 1767, 8vo. 5. " Discours sur les Grand
Hommes," Berlin, 1768, 8vo, and ibid. 1803. 6. A French
translation of Brandes' " Ariane a Naxos." 7. " xhe
Thoughts of a Cosmopolite on Air Balloons/9 in German,
Hamburgh, 1784, 8vo. 8. " A' Discourse on taking the
oath, Oct. 2, 1786," in German, Berlin, 1786, 8 vo. 9. "In-
structions for his regiment, &c." in German, ibid. 1791,
Svo, with military figures. 10. " The military history of
prince Frederic Augustus of Brunswick- Lunebourg, &c.,i
in German, Oels, 1797, 4to, with a portrait and twenty
plans and charts. 11. u Journal plaisant, his tori que, po-
litique, etliteraire, a Oels," from July 1793 to July 1795.
He left also several works in manuscript, principally on
military tactics. 1

BRUSCHIUS (Gaspar), a Latin historian and poet,
was born at Egra in Bohemia, 1518. He was devoted to

* Diet. Hi*.

BRU8CHIU& 197

books from his childhood, and especially to poetry; in
which he so happily succeeded, that be could make a great
number of verses, and those not bad ones, extempore.
He began early to publish some of them on several sub*
jects ; and acquired so much reputation, that he attained
to the poetical crown, to the dignity of poet laureat, and
of count palatine, which honour he received at Vienna
from Ferdinand of Austria, king of the Romans, in 1552.
His business in that city was to present a work to Maximi-
lian, king of Hungary, which he had dedicated to him,
the €€ First century of the German monasteries." In his
return from Vienna, he stopped at Passau ; where, finding
a patron ki Wolfgang bishop of Salms, he resolved to set-
tle, and to remove his library and family. He hoped that
he could better go on there with a great work he had un-
dertaken, which was, " The history of all the bishoprics and
bishops of Germany." He had travelled much, and looked
into several records and libraries, to gather materials for
his purpose. How long he staid there does not appear ;
but he was at Basil in June 1153, and lived in the citadel
of Oporin, Arx Oporina : the usual way of speaking of
that famous printer's house, which stood on a rising ground.
Here he published writings he had finished at Passau,
some in prose, and others in verse. Bruschius was mar-
ried, but had no children. He was far from being rich ;
but his poetical patrons assisted him, and he received pre*
sents also from the abbots and abbesses, whose monasteries
be described. He was particularly well received by the
abbess of the convent of Caczi, and obtained some pre-
sents from her, which, Meichior Adam says, was owing to
his having described the antiquities of that convent. The
liberalities of some abbots, while he was with Oporin at
Basil, enabled him to buy a new suit of clothes ; but when
he found that appearing well dressed in the streets pro-
cured him many marks of respect from the vulgar, he tore
his new finery to pieces, " as slaves (says the same author)
that had usurped their master's honours.9'

This unhappy man was murdered in the forest of Sea-
lingenbach, between Rottemberg on the Tauber and
Winsheim, in 1559; and it was believed that this assas-
sination was concerted and carried into execution by some
gentlemen against whom Bruschius was about to write
something. His ecclesiastical history of Germany is said

to savour of Lutheranism, with which he was supposed to,

t98 BEUSCRIUS.

be strongly tainted, from his taking every slight occasion
to speak ill of Rome and of the popes. It was published
under the title " De omnibus totius Germanise Episco-
patibus Epitome, &c." Nuremberg, 1 549 ; and " Monas-
teriorum Germanise pracipuorum, &c. Centuria Prima,"
Ingolstad, 1551. He published also, in his nineteenth
year, " Tabula Philosophise partitionem continens," Tu-
bingen, 1537, and other works, enumerated in Gesner's
Bibliotheca. *

BRUTO (John Michael), a very learned Venetian,
was born about 1518, and studied at Padua. It appears
from his letters, that he was obliged to leave his country
as an exile ; but he does not say upon what account, only
that it was without any blemish to his honour. He tra-
velled much, passing part of his life in Spain, England,
France, Germany, Transylvania, and Poland. Notwith-
standing this itinerant kind of life, he acquired great
learning, as appears from his notes on Horace, Caesar,
Cicero, &c. He was in Transylvania in 1574, having
been invited thither by prince Stephen, in order to com-
pose a history of that country. One of his letters, dated
from Cracow, Nov. 23, 1577, informs us, that he had fol-
lowed that prince, then king of Poland, in the expedition
into Prussia. He had a convenient apartment assigned
him in the castle of Cracow, that he might apply himself
the better to his function of historiographer. He left Po-
land after the death of that monarch, and lived with Wil-
liam of St. Clement, ambassador from the king of Spain
to the imperial court, where he was honoured with the
title of his imperial majesty's historiographer. He died
afterwards in Transylvania, in 1594, in his seventy-sixth

year.

His writings, become very scarce, were so earnestly
sought after by the best judges, that there was great joy
in the republic of letters, on hearing that Mr. Cromer had
undertaken to publish a new edition of them. The first
part of that design was accomplished in 1698, Berlin, 8vo.
The Cracow edition was in 1582. Bruto promises in one
of his letters, to add another to them, wherein he designed
to. treat of the custom of giving the same lofty titles to
persons whom we write to in Latin, as are given in com-
mon languages. There are but few countries in which

} Gen, Dict.^Moreri.-T-Saxii Onomaat.

BRUTO. I9f

they are more nice in this point than in Poland ; and yet
Bruto would not conform to the new style, not even in
writing to some Polish lords, but dispensed with all cere-
monies that might make him deviate frqm the purity of the
ancient language of Rome. In a letter he wrote to John
Poniatowski, he says: "This is my first letter to you,
which I write in the Roman manner, as I used to do even
to the king. I can bring myself to every thing else, can .
love you, obey you, and always regard you, which 1 shall
do very willingly, as you highly deserve. But when I
have any thing to write to you in .Latin, suffer me, without
offence, to write according to the use of the Latin tongue,
for I cannot understand that I am writing to your great*
nesses, your magnificences, &c. which exist no where on
this side of the moon : I am writing to you." Bruto,
though whimsical in this respect, was at least classical, as
it is certain that ancient Rome had no such usage in the
time of its greatest glory, and of its most accomplished
politeness.

It is said, that the history of Florence, composed by
our Bruto, and printed at Lyons in 1562, under the title
4i Florentine Historise, Libri octo priores," is not favour-
able to the bouse of Medicis ; and that it greatly dis-
pleased the duke of Florence, on which it was so far
suppressed, that few copies are now to be met with. He
published also " De Origine Venetiarum," Leyden, 1560,
8vo, and " Epistolae," Berlin, 1690, Svo.1

BRUYERE (John, de la), one of those celebrated
persons whose writings attract universal admiration, while
their lives pass on in one uniform tenour, without incident
or adventure, was born in 1639, 1640, or 1644, (for we
have seen all these dates given), in a village of France,
near the town of Dourdan, in that part of the late province
of the Isle of France which is now denominated the de-
partment of the Seine and Oise. Of his education, or of
his youthful manners, we have no information. His first
situation appears to have been at Caen, , in the province
of Normandy, where he had an office in the collection of
the revenue. His literary talents, however, became soon
too conspicuous to permit him to remain long in a situation
/so little corresponding with the expanding and elevating

1 Gen. Diet.— Moreri.— Saxii Onomast.

3©0 BKUYE B E.

views of genius. The illustrious Bossuet appointed him
to attend one of the royal children of France, to instruct
him in history, with a pension of a thousand crowns a year;
With this he might be considered at that period, and in
that country, as in a state of affluence ; and the literary
distinctions, then the most courted by aspiring minds,
were not withheld from him ; for, in 1693, be was eleeted
by the express command of Lewis XIV. one of the forty
members of the French academy. But he did not long
enjoy that affluence which afforded him leisure to cultivate
the fields of literature, nor the distinctions which he so
well merited, and which were accompanied by the uni-
versal admiration of his countrymen, and indeed of all
Europe. An apoplectic fit removed him from this transi-
tory scene, in the year 1696, and in the fifty-third year
of his age.

M. de la Bruyere was an ingenious philosopher, devoid
of all ambition, content to 6njoy in tranquillity his friends
and his books, and selecting both with judgment. Pleasure
be neither sought, nor endeavoured to avoid. Ever dis-
posed to the indulgence of a modest and placid joy, with
a happy talent of exciting it, he was polite in liis manners,
and wise in his conversation ; an enemy to every kind of
affectation, and even to that of displaying the brilliancy of
wit. The work by which he was distinguished was " The'
Characters of Theophrastus, translated from the Greek,
with the Manners of the present age.'* " These characters,'*
says Voltaire, " may be justly ranked among the extraor-
dinary productions of the age. Antiquity furnishes no
examples of such a work. A rapid, concise, and nervous
style ; animated and picturesque expressions ; a use of
language altogether new, without offending against its
established rules, struck the public at first ; and the allu-
sions to living persons, which are crowded in almost every
page, completed its success. When the author showed
his work in manuscript to Malesieux, the latter told him
that the book would have many readers, and its author
many enemies *. It somewhat sunk in the opinion of men,

* La Bruyere used to frequent the day, taking the manuscript of bis

shop of a bookseller named Micha'.let, " Characters" out of his pocket, be of-

where he aroused himself with reading fered it toMichallet, saying: Will you

the new pamphlets, and playing with print this ? I know not whether you

the bookseller's daughter, an engaging will gain any thing by it, but, should

child, of whom he was yery fond. One it succeed, let the profits, make the

BRUYERE. 201

when that whole generation, whose follies it attacked,
were passed away ; yet, as it contains many things appli-
cable to all times and places, it is more than probable that
it will never be forgotten."

Beside this1 admirable work, he had begun "Dialogues
on Quietism,'9 which were finished after his death by abb£
Dupin, and published in 1699, 12 mo.

The best .French editions of his Characters are those of
Amsterdam, 1741, 2 vols. 12 mo, and of Paris, 1750, 2
vols. 12mo, and in 1765, 1 vol. 4 to. The English trans-
lation of them is in 2 vols. 8vo, by Rowe, 1713, with a
tedious account of his life and writings, by M. Coste.
This last contains the Theophxastus, Bruyere's Characters,
with a key, his speech on admission into the French aca-
demy, and an imitation of Bruyere by Rowe. '

BRUYN (Cornelius), painter, and a famous traveller,
born in 1652, at the Hague, began his travels through
Russia, Persia, and the East Indies in 1674, and did not
end them till 1708 > they were printed at Amsterdam; the
voyage to the Levant in 1714, fol. and those of Russia,
Persia, &c. in 1718, 2 vols, folio, which last were translated
into English, and published in 1736, 2 vols, folio. The
(edition of 1718 is greatly esteemed on account of the
plates; but the edition of Rouen, of 1725, of 5 vols. 4to,
is more useful, as the abb£ Bannier has improved the style,
enriched it with many excellent notes, and has added to
it the voyage of Desmousseaux, &c. Bruyn is an in-
quisitive and instructive traveller ; but he is^not always ac-
curate, and his diction is far from being elegant. He
died in 1719.*

BRUYS (Francis), born at Serrieres in the Maconnois
in 1708, quitted his country in order to pursue his studies
at Geneva, from whence he went to the Hague, where he
had some relations, and there he became a Calvinist. A
dispute with some divines obliging him to leave Holland,
he retired into Germany, from whence he returned to
. France. He there recanted, and died some time after

dowry of my little friend here." The work amounted to a large sum ; and

bookseller, though doubtful with re. with this fortune Miss Micoallet was

•pact to the result, ventured on the afterwards advantageously married,

publication ; the first impression was Month. Rev. vol. XI. N. S. from

toon sold off, several editions were af- • the Memoirs of the Royal Aca-

terwards sold, and the profits of the demy of Berlin.

1 Life prefixed to Works.— Moreri. — Diet. Hist, — Saxii Onomast.
* Dipt. Hist.— Saxii Onomftft,

202 BRUYS.

at Dijon, in 1738, being only thirty years old. He pub-
lished: 1. " Critique desinteress6e des journaux litte-
raires," J 730, 3- vols. 12mo. 2. " History of the Popes,"
from St. Peter to Benedict XIII. inclusive, 1732, 5 vols.
4to. 3. " Memoires historiques, critiques, et litteraires,"
2 vols. 12mo, in which are many anecdotes of the cha-
racters and works of the learned men he had been
acquainted with in the different countries he had vi-
sited. The first title of this work, was : " Reflexions
serieuses et badines sur les Suisses, les Hollandois, et les
Allemans, &c." which he thought proper to change.
4. " Reflexions en forme de lettres adresse£s au prochain
synod qui doit s' assembler a la Haye, sur l'affaire de M.
Saurin, et sur ceile de M. Maty," Hague, 1730, 12mo.
This alludes to a dispute with Saurin and Maty, which
latter had been deposed from his ministry for his opinions
on the Trinity. Bruys concealed his name in this work
under the' letters M. F. B. D. S. E. M. P. D. G. (i.e. Fran-
cois Bruys, de Serrieres en Ma^onnois, professeur de
Grammaire.) 5. Tacite avec des notes historiques et po-
litiques, pour servir de continuation st ce que M. Amelot
de Houssai avoit traduit de cet auteur," Hague, 1730, 6 vols.
12mo. 6. " Le postilion, ouvrage historique, critique, po-
litique, &c," 1733-6, 4 vols. 12 mo. His history of the
popes was said to have been the production of a Benedictine
of St. Maur, and the plan and some of the chapters having
.faller* into the hands of Bruys, he prepared it- for the
press in the shape we now find it. l

BRUYS (Peter de), founder of the sect, if it may be so
called, of the Petrobrussians, in the twelfth century, ap-
pears to have propagated his doctrines chiefly in Langue-
doc and Provence, and after a laborious ministry of twenty
years, during which he had collected a great number of
followers, was burnt at St. Gilles in 1 130, by the populace
instigated by the popish clergy. His chief tenets were,
that no persons ought to be baptised unless adults ; that it
was an idle superstition to build churches, as God will ac-
cept sincere worship wherever it is offered, and that such
churches as had been erected were to be destroyed; with
all crucifixes or instruments of superstition; that the real
body and blood of Christ were not exhibited in the eucha-
rist, but were represented only by figures and symbols, and

* Moreri. — Diet, Hist.

B ft V Y 9. 203

that the oblations, prayers, &c. of the living were of no use
to the dead. *

BRUZEN. See MARTINIERE.

BRYAN, or BRYANT (Sir Francis), an English poet
and warrior, was born of a genteel family, educated at Ox-
ford, and afterwards spent some time in travelling abroad.
In 1 522, he attended, in a military capacity, the earl of
Surrey on his expedition to the coast of Britany, and com-
manded the troops in the attack of the town of Morlaix,
which he took and burnt. For this service he was knighted
on the spot by the earl, which Tanner sayB took place in
Germany, 1532, instead of Britany, 1522. In 1528 he
was in Spain, but in what service is doubtful. In 1529 he
was sent ambassador to France, and the following year to
Rome on account of the king's divorce. He had also been
there in 1522, in the same capacity, when cardinal Wol-
sey's election to the holy see was in agitation. In 1533 he
was one of those sent by Henry to be witnesses to the in-
terview between the pope and the king of France at Mar-
seilles. He was gentleman of the privy chamber to Henry
VIII. and to his successor Edward VI. in the beginning pf
whose reign he marched with the protector against the
Scots, and after the battle of Musselborough in 1547, in
which he commanded the light horse with great bravery,
he was made banneret. In 1549* he was appointed chief
governor of Ireland, by the title of lord chief justice, and
there hje married the countess of Ormond. He appears to
have died in 1550, and was buried at Waterford. He was
nephew to John Bourchier, lord Berners, the translator of
Froissart.

He translated from the French of Alaygri, " A Dispraise
of the life of a Courtier," which Alaygri had translated
from the Castilian language, in which it was originally
written by Guevara, London, 1548, 8vo. Several of the
" Poems by uncertain authors," printed with those of
Surrey and Wyat, are supposed to have been his produc-
tion. He left also in MS. letters written from Rome con-
cerning the king's divorce, and various letters of state,
which Ant. Wood says he had seen. Dodd accuses sir
Francis Bryan of having administered to the extravagant
pleasures of Henry VIII. but perhaps he was not more
culpable in this respect than Henry's other courtiers, and

1 Mosheim. — Moreri.

20* BRYANT.

it is in his favour that he retained the confidence of the
succeeding government '

BRYANT (Jacob), one of the most learned English
scholars of the eighteenth century, who adds a very illus-
trious name to the " Worthies of Devon," was born at Ply-
mouth in that county in 1715. His father held an office in
the custom-house, but before his son arrived at his seventh
year, was removed thence into Kent, a circumstance which
may be mentioned as a proof of Mr. Bryant's extraordinary
jmemory ; for, in a conversation with the late admiral Bar*
rington, not long before his death, when some local cir-
cumstances in respect to Plymouth were accidentally men-
tioned, Mr. Bryant discovered so perfect a recollection of
them, that his friend could scarcely be persuaded he had
not been very recently on the spot, though he had never
visited the place of his nativity after the removal of bis
father. Mr. Bryant received his grammatical education
first under the rev. Sam. Thornton of Ludsdown in Kent,
and afterwards at Eton, and undoubtedly was one of the
brightest luminaries of that institution. The traditions of
his extraordinary attainments still remain, and particularly
of some verses which he then wrote. From Eton he pro-
ceeded to King's college, Cambridge, where he took his
degree of A. B. in 1740, and A, M. in 1744, obtained a
fellowship, and was equally distinguished by his love of
learning, and his proficiency in every branch of the aca-
demic course. He was afterwards first tutor to sir Thomas
Stapylton, and then to the marquis of Blandford, now duke
of Marlborough, and to his brother lord Charles Spencer,
when at Eton school, which office, on account of an in-
flammation in his eyes, be quitted in 1744, and his place
was supplied by Dr. Erasmus Saunders; but Mr. Bryant,
after his recovery in 1746, again returned to his office, and
in 1756 was appointed secretary to the late duke of Marl-
borough, when master-general of the ordnance, and -ac-%
companied him into Germany. His grace also promoted
him to a lucrative appointment in the ordnance-office.

As Mr. Bryant had long outlived his contemporaries*
few particulars, except what we have just related, are
known, of his early life and habits. He appears, even
while connected with the late duke of Marlborough, whose

* Ath. Ox. vol. 1.— Warton's Hist, of Poetry, vol. IH.-^Phillips's Theaftruai
p. 49.— Podd's Ch, Hist. roi. I.

B R Y A N t 20*

i

family remained his kind patrons during the whole of his
life, to have devoted himself to study, and to that parti-
cular branch which respects the ancient history of nations.
Whatever his fortune might be, he appears to have been
satisfied if it supplied the means of extending his studies
in retirement, and we do not find that he ever inclined to
pursue any of the learned professions. One of his con-
temporaries, the late rev. William Cole of Milton, informs
lis, in his MS Athense Cantab, (in Brit. Mus.) that he had
twice refused the mastership of the Charter-house, which
one time was actually granted to him by a majority of the
governors ; and notice of his nomination was sent to him
by Mr. Hetherington, a gentleman who afterwards left him
his executor and 3,000/. as a legacy ; but at what time
these offers were made, Mr. Cole has not specified. It is
certain, however, that he early formed his plan of life, a
long life spent entirely in literary pursuits, and persevered
in it with uncommon assiduity and steadiness, consecrating
Jiis talents to the best purposes of learning and religion.

His first publication was "Observations and Inquiries
relating to various parts of Ancient History: containing
Dissertations on the wind Euroclydon, and on the Island
Melite, together with an account of Egypt in its most early
state, and of the Shepherd Kings; wherein the time of
. their coming, the province which they particularly pos-
' seased, and to which the Israelites afterwards succeeded, is
endeavoured to be stated. The whole calculated to throw
light on the history of that ancient kingdom, as well as on
the histories of the Assyrians, Chaldeans, Babylonians,
Edomites, and other nations," 1767, 4to. In this volume,
with great modesty, and yet with well-grounded resolution,
he attacks Bochart, Grotius, and Bentley, who supposed
that Euroclydon, the name of a wind mentioned in Acts
xxvii. 14tb verse, is a misnomer, and ought to be read Eu-
roaquilo, and very ably supports the present reading. In
proving that the island Melite, mentioned in. the last chap-
ter of the Acts, is not Malta, he has to contend with Gro-
tius., Cluverius, Beza, Bentley, and Bochart, and his argu-
ments on this question are upon the whole' conclusive. It
happened that the hypothesis he suggested was brought
forward about the same time by an ingenious Frenchman,
and neither of them was acquainted with the opinion of the
other. The remainder of this volume evinces uncommon
research and acuteness, but not unmixed with that inch-

S06 BRYANT.

nation to bold conjecture and fanciful speculation which
more or less influenced the composition of all Mr. Bryant's-
works. His next communication to the public, and the
work on which his character as a scholar must ultimately
rest, was his " New System or Analysis of Ancient My- *
thology ; wherein an Attempt is made to divest Tradition
of Fable, and to reduce Truth to its original Purity." Of
this publication the first and second volumes came forth
together, in 1774, and the third followed two years after. It
being his professed design to present a history of the Ba-
bylonians, Chaldeans, Egyptians, Canaanites, Helladians,
lonians, Leleges, Dorians, Pelasgi, and other ancient na-
tions, his researches for this purpose were not only of ne-
cessity recondite, but in many instances uncertain ; but to
facilitate his passage through the mighty labyrinth which
led to his primary object, he not only availed himself of
the scattered fragments of ancient history wherever be
could find them, but also of a variety of etymological aids;
for being persuaded that the human race were the offspring
of one stock, and conceiving thence that their language in
the beginning was one, this favourite notion was exempli-
fied by him in the investigation of radical terms, and ap-
plication of these as collateral aids. As his knowledge of
the oriental dialects was very confined, upon -some occa-
sions he has indulged too freely to fancy; yet bis defects
in this kind of learning form a strong plea in his favour ;
for if, without fully understanding these languages, he has
succeeded in tracing out so many radicals as his table of
them exhibits, and more especially if he has been right in
explaining them, it wjll follow that his explanations must
be founded on truth, and therefore are not chimerical. In
opposition, however, to them, Mr. Bryant experienced
some severe and petulant attacks : first, from a learned-
Dutchman, in a Latin review of his work ; and shortly after
from the late Mr. Richardson, who was privately assisted
by sir William Jones ; a circumstance which there is rea-
son to think Mr. Bryant never knew. Mr. Richardson, in
the preface to his Persian Dictionary, has no doubt suc-
cessfully exposed some of Mr. Bryant's etymological mis-
takes with regard to words of eastern origin. Bryant bad
a favourite theory with regard to the Amonians, the origi-
nal inhabitants of Egypt, whose name, as well as descent,
he derives from Ham, but Richardson has stated an in-
superable objection to the derivation of the name, for

.j

BRYANT. 207

though the Greeks and Latins used Ammon and Hammon
indifferently, yet the Heth in Ham is a radical, not mutable
or omissible ; and had the Greeks or Latins formed a word
from it, it would have been Chammon, and not Ammon,
even with the aspirate. To these and other strictures, Mr.
Bryant replied in an anonymous pamphlet, of which he
printed only a few copies for the perusal of his friends*;
and that part of his work which relates to the Apameart
medal having been particularly attacked, especially in the
Gentleman's Magazine, he defended himself in " A Vin-
' dication of the Apamean Medal, and of the inscription:
NX1E, together with an illustration of another coin struck
at the same place in honour of the emperor Severus." This
was first published in the Archaeologia, and afterwards se-
parately, 1775, 4to, and although what he offered on the
subject was lightly treated hy some, whose knowledge in
medallic history is allowed to be great, yet the opinion of
professor Eckhel, the first medallist of his age, is decidedly
in favour of Mr. Bryant. And whatever may be the merit, t
in the opinion of the learned, of Mr. Bryant's " New Sys-
tem" at large, no person can possibly dispute, that a very
uncommon store of learning is perceptible through the
whole; that it abounds with great originality of concep-
tion, much perspicacious elucidation, and the most happy-
explanations on topics of the highest importance : in a
word, that it stands forward amongst the first works of its
age.

About this time was published Mr. Wood's "Essay on
the original genius and writings of Homer." Of this post-
humous work, Mr. Bryant was the editor, the author hav-
ing left his MSS. to his care ; and in the same year, the.
" Vindiciae Flavianae," a tract on the much disputed testi-
mony of Josephus to Christ, was printed, and a few co-
pies sent to a bookseller in either university ; but as the
pamphlet appeared without the name of its author, and no
attention was shewed it, Mr. Bryant recalled them, and
satisfied himself with distributing the copies thus returned

«

* Mr. Richardson returned to the dressed to the Author, by Jacob Un-
charge in 1778, by publishing " A ant, esq." 8vo. It appears by this
Dissertation on the Languages, Litera- work that both parties had now lost
ture, and Manner* of Eastern Nations, their temper, and justice obliges u.s
Originally prefixed to his Dictionary, to say that Mr. Bryant shewed the
&c Together with further remarks first symptoms Q? a defect in that
on a New Analysis of Ancient Mytho- article.
Jpgy, in answer to An Apology, ad*

308 . BRYANT.

amongst a few particular friends. The new light, how-
ever, which Mr. Bryant threw upon the subject, and the
acuteness with which the difficulties attending it were dis-
cussed, soon brought the work into notice, and Mr. Bryant
published it with his name in 1780, and has effectually vih*
dicated the authenticity of the passage in question. It id
no mean testimony of his success in this undertaking, that
Dr. Priestley confessed that Mr. Bryant had made a com-
plete convert of him* That his conversion, however, ex-
tended no farther than the present subject, appeared in the
same year, when Mr. Bryant published " An Address to
Dr. Priestley, upon his doctrine of Philosophical Neces-
sity illustrated," 8vo, which the doctor with his usual ra-
pidity, answered in " A Letter to Jacob Bryant, esq."
Dr. Priestley, indeed, was not likely to be persuaded by a
writer who insinuated that his " necessity" of philoso-
phers was no other than the " predestination" of Calvinists.
With respect to the " Vindiciae Flavianae," it yet remains
to be mentioned that there is a great affinity between this
publication, and the observations on the same subject of a
learned Frenchman. See a letter to Dr. Kippis, at the
end of his life of Dr. Lardner, by Dr. Henley, where the
arguments for and against the authenticity of the passage
are distinctly stated.

The poems attributed to Rowley having been published
by Mr. Tyrwhitt, Mr. Bryant's attention was next drawn
to them, and in 1781 he published " Observations on the
Poems of Thomas Rowley, in which the authenticity of
these poems is ascertained," 2 vols. 12mo. From the com-
munications of his friend Dr. Glynn, and his own inquiries
at Bristol, Mr. Bryant acquired such information as con-
vinced him, that they had their foundation in reality, and
were not entirely of Chatterton's fabrication ; but though
he failed to produce conviction, his book discovers consi-
derable talent, as well as much knowledge of English an-
tiquities and literature.

The hypothesis of Mr. Bryant in reference to one ori-
ginal language was always kept in view by him, and as
researches were extended on all sides to obtain elucidations,
the language of the gypsies engaged his attention; ac-
cordingly the collections which he made from it, were
published in the Archaeologia, voL VII. entitled w Collec-
tions on the Zingara, or Gypsey language."

In 1783 was printed, at the expence of the duke of

BRYANT. 20f

Marlborough, for private distribution, that splendid work,
" The Marlborough Gems," under the title of " Gemwa-
rum antiquarum delectus ex praestantioribus desumptus ia
Dactylotheca Ducis Marburiensis." Thfc 6rst volume of
the exposition of these gems was written in Latin by Mr.
-Bryant, and translated into French by Mr. Maty. That of
the second was written by Dr. Cole, prebendary of West-
minster, and translated by Mr. Dutens. The friendship
which subsisted between Mr. Bryant and the family of his
patron, prompted him on all occasions to. attend to their
wishes, and to this disposition the public owe his " Treatise
on the Authenticity of the Scriptures, and the Truth of the
Christian Religion," 1792, 8vo, which was written at the
request of the dowager lady Pembroke, and is an excellent
book for popular instruction. In two years after he pub-
lished a large volume, entitled " Observations upon the
Plagues inflicted upon the Egyptians ; in which is shewn
the peculiarity of those judgments, and their correspond-
ence with the rites and idolatry of that people ; with a
* prefatory Discourse concerning the Grecian Colonies from
Egypt," 8vo. This is certainly to be reckoned amongst
Mr. Bryant's best performances, and as such will be stu-
diously read.

Professor Dal z el having communicated to the royal so-
ciety of Edinburgh, and afterwards published in a separate
volume, M. le Chevalier's " Description of the Plain of
Troy," Mr. Bryant, ' who many years before had not only
considered, but written his sentiments on the Trojan war,
first published, in 1795, his Observations on M. le Cheva,-
lier's treatise, and, in 1796, a Dissertation concerning the
war itself, and the expedition of the Grecians as described
by Homer ; with the view of shewing that no such expe-
dition was ever undertaken, and that no such city in Phry-
gia existed. Of this singular publication we shall only
notice, that on the one side it has been remarked that " for
the repose of Mr. Bryant's well-earned fame, it probably
would have been better had this dissertation never been
written. Even the high authority with which he is armed
could not warrant him in controverting opinions so long
maintained and established among historians, and in dis-
proving facts so well attested by the most extensive evi-
dence. Great and natural was the surprize of the literary
world on the, appearance of this publication ; and very few,
if any, were the proselytes to the new doctrine which it

VquVIL P

ftie BRYANT.

inculcates. It was answered by Mr. Gilbert Wakefield, in
a very indecent letter to Mr. Bryant ; and in a style more
Worthy of the subject by J. B. 8. Morrit, esq. of Rokeby
park, near Greta bridge ;" and by Dr. Vincent. On the
other, hand, it has been suggested, that " the testimony of
antiquity goes for nothing in this case, as the whole de-
pends on the authority of Homer ; and unless authors can
be cited anterior to him, or coeval with him, or who did
not derive their information from him, or some of his tran-
scribers, the whble history of the war .must rest on his au*
thority ; and if his authority were equal to his genius, the
transactions which he records would stand in need of no
other support. But, certainly, as the subject stands at
present, were the alternative proposed to us, we would
rather reject the whole as a fable, than receive the half as
authentic history."

In the following year Mr. Bryant submitted to the pub*
lie a work of a different kind and character, under the title
of " The sentiments of Philo Judeeus concerning the
AOrOZ, or Word of God, together with large extracts from
his writings, compared with the scriptures in many other
particular and essential doctrines of the Christian reli-
gion," 1797, 8vo. But, learned and curious as this treatise
unquestionably is, it appears to have interested the 'gene-
ral reader less, perhaps, than any of his other productions*
In addition to those already noticed may be added his
" Observations on famous controverted passages -in Justin
Martyr and Josephus," and a pamphlet addressed to Mr*
Melmoth, written with less temper than fnigbt have been
wished. Mr. Bryant closed his labours with a qfl&rto vo-
lume of u Dissertations on the prophecy of Balaam ; the,
standing still of the sun in the time of Joshua; the jaw*
bone of the ass with which Samson slew the Philistines;
and the history of Jonah and the whale :" subjects in them*
selves exceedingly curious, and treated with much inge*
nuity; but these tracts having been written above thirty
years betfdre, Mr. Bryant, in revising, made so many aU
terations, as, through a defect of memory, render the
remarks in one part inconsistent with those in another,
which materially diminished the value of the whole. Other
writings to a considerable extent remain in the hands of
his executor, and various small poems, verses, &c. are
still recollected as the production of his early years. Of
this sort were his incomparable verses to Bel Cooke ; bis.

B E Y A N T. 211

ludifcrous dissertation on pork, and his apotheosis of a cat,
juvenile pieces, which show that he had a ^considerable ta-
lent for humour.

In forming a general estimate of Mr. Bryant's literary
character, it will be found that, as a classical scholar, he
had few equals; his acquaintance with history, and the ,
topics of general information, was of very uncommon ex-
tent, but from the want of Oriental literature, and the
stricter sciences, he yielded too often to the impulses of
a vigorous fancy. It will, notwithstanding, be found from
repeated perusals of his writings, that be deservedly ranks
amongst the first men of his age, and from having conse-
crated his great talents and acquisitions to the service of
religion, will be ever entitled to the veneration of mankind.

In his person Mr. Bryant was lower and more delicately
formed than men in general, and, consequently, less ca-
pable of strong exercise : but in early life he had great
agility, particularly in swimming, a circumstance which
enabled him to save Dr. Barnard, afterward head-master
tff Eton, when drowning. In his ordinary habits of life he
was remarkable for his temperance, and though his time
arid studies were principally devoted to literature and the
pursuit of truth, yet his conversation with those he re-
ceived and conversed with was uncommonly sprightly, as
he never failed to mix entertaining anecdote with instruc-
tion. In his person he w^s particularly neat, and in his
deportment courteous. His liberality was often conspL*
cuous, and the spirit of religion diffused itself through all
bis actions. As few comparatively live so long, instances
of such exemplary merit can but rarely be found. He
tried, after a long residence at Cypenham, near Windsor,
Nov. 14, 1804, of a^mortincation in his leg, occasioned by
a hurt from the tilting of a chair in reaching down a book -
from its' shelf. At his own desire, Mr. Bryant was interred
in his parish church, beneath the seat he there occupied.
He left his valuable library to King's college, Cambridge ;
20002. to the society for propagating the gospel, and 10OQ/t
to the superannuated collegers of Eton school, to be dis-
posed of as the provost and fellows think proper. *

ERYDAL, or BRIDAL (John), a law-writer and an-
tiquary, son and heir of John Brydal, esq. of the Rolls

1 From various periodical Journals.— Rees'tf and Brewster's Cyclopedia.— »
Baldwin'* Literary Journal, vol. IV.— Monthly and Crit. Reviewi.— >NichoU'»
Life of Bowyer.— Q*nL Mag . ke.

T 2

212 fe R Y D A L.

ff

Liberty, was born in Somersetshire about 1635, and be*
came a commoner of Queen's college, Oxford, in Michael*
mas term, 1651, where he took a degree. in arts in 1655,
but left the university without completing it by deter-
mination. He then settled iu Lincoln's inn, and after the
usual course of law studies was admitted to the bar. After
the restoration he became secretary to sir Harbottle Grim-
ston, master of the rolls. When he died is uncertain, as
he survived the publication of Wood's Athens, from which ,
we have extracted this brief notice of him, but he appears
to have been living in 1704. He published several law
treatises, some of which are still in estimation : 1. " Jus
imaginis apud Anglos, or the Law of England relating to
the Nobility and tientry," 1671, 1675, 8vo. 2. "Jus Si-
gilli; or the law of England touching the four principal
Seals, the great seal, privy seal, exchequer seal, and the
signet ; also those grand officers to whose custody those
seals are committed,'9 1673, 24mo. 3. " Speculum Juris
Anglicani ; or a view 4>f the Laws of England, as thejf are
divided into statutes, common-law, and customs," 1673,
8vo. 4. " Jus criminis, or an abridgment of the laws of
treason, murther, conspiracies, poisonings, &c." 1675,
1679, £vo. 5. " Camera Regis, or a short view of Lon-
don, viz. antiquity, &c. officers, courts, customs, fran-
chises," &c. 1676, 8vo. 6. " Decus et tutamen ; or a pro-
spect of the laws of England, framed for die safeguard of
the king's majesty," 1679, 8vo. 7. " Ars transferendi ; of
sure guide to the conveyancer," 1697, 8vo. 8. " Non
compos mentis ; or, the law relating to natural fools, mad
folks, and lunatic persons," L700, 8vo. t. " Lex Spurio-
rum ; or, the law relating to bastardy, collected from the
common, civil, and ecclesiastical laws," 1703, 8 vo. 10.
" Declaration of the divers preheminences or privileges
allowed by the laws and customs of England, unto the first*
born among her majesty's subjects the temporal lords in
parliament," 1704, fol. Wood adds another .work, "Jura
Coronas; or, his majesty's royal rights and prerogatives
asserted against papal usurpations, and all other anti-
monarchical attempts and practices," 1680, 8vo, l

BRYDGES (Sir Grey, Lord Chandos), a man of
abilities, succeeded his father William, fourth lord Chan-

* Wood's Athena, rod. II.— Cottier's Diet where, father and son seem to be
confounded, but what Collier tajs ^evidently belongs to the f&ther.^-Wortalfe

Bibliotheaa.

B R.Y D6E«, 213

ttos, in Nov: 1602. He was a friend of the earl of Essex,
in whose insurrection he was probably involved, for h&
name appears on the list of prisoners confined in the Fleet
on that account, Feb. 1 600. He was made a kpight of the
bath at the creation of Charles duke of York, Jan. 1604*
and in August 1605 was created M. A. at Oxford, the king
being present. He was an associate of that active and
romantic character, lord Herbert of Cherbury, and appears
to have volunteered his services in the Low Countries,
when the prince of Orange besieged the city of J uliers. in
1610, and the Low Country army was assisted by four
thousand English soldiers, under the command of sir Ed-
ward Cecil. From the great influence which his hospitality
and popular manners afterwards obtained in Gloucester-
shire, and his numerous attendants when he visited the
court, he was styled king of Cotswould, the tract of coun-
try on the edge of which his castle of Sudeley was situated.
On November 18, 1617, he was appointed to receive and
introduce the Muscovite ambassadors, who had brought
costly presents from their master to the king. He died
August 20, 1621. There is no doubt, says sir EgertQU
Brydges (by whom the preceding notices were drawn to-
gether) that lord Chandos was a mail of abilities $ts well as
splendid habits of life, and by no means a literary recluse,
although be is supposed to have been the author of " Horte
subsecirs, Observations and Discourses," Lond. 1620, 8vo,
a work containing a fund of good sense and shrewd remark.
In sir John Beaumont's poems are some lines on his death,
highly expressive of an excellent character. * .

BRYE (Theodore de), an eminent engraver, was born
In 1528, at Leige, but resided chiefly at Francfort, where
he carried on a considerable commerce in prints. It does
not appear to what master he owed his instructions in the
art, but the works of Sebast Beham were certainly of great
service to him. He copied many of the plates engraved
by that artist, and seems to have principally formed his
taste from them. He worked almost entirely with .the
graver, and -seldom called in the assistance of the point.
He acquired a neat, free style of engraving, well adapted
to smalt subjects in which many figures were to be repre-
sented, as funeral parades, processions, &c. which he ese-

\ Park's Royal and Noble Autbors> toI, II.— Censura Literaria* vol, V.-*
English Poets, yoi VI. p. 40.

il* BRYE.

cuted in a charming manner. He also drew very correctly.
His heads, in gefteral, are spirited and expressive, and the
other extremities of his figures well-marked. His back-
grounds, though frequently very slight, are touched with a
masterly hand. He died, as his sons inform us (in the
third part of Boissard's collection of portraits), March 27,
1 598. The two first parts of that collection were engraved
by De Brye, assisted by his sons, who afterwards con-
tinued it.

His great works are, 1. " The plates for the first four
Volumes of Boissard's * Roman Antiquities'. " 2. Those
for the illustration of " The Manners and Customs of the
Virginians,*' in the " Brief true repoTt of the new found
land of Virginia, published by Thomas Hariot, servant to
sir Walter Raleigh, &c." Francfort, 1 5U0. 3. The plates
to the Latin narrative 'of the u Cruelties of the Spaniards
in America,'* 1598 ; and 4. his greatest work, " Descriptio
Indiae Ortentalis et Occidentalis," 1598, 5 vols. fol. He
published also many detached plates, the most remarkable
ind scarce of which is the "Procession for the funeral of
sir Philip Sidney.1' This is a long roll, contrived and in-
Tented by Thomas Lant, gent, servant of that honourable
knight, and engraven in copper by Derith or Theodore de
Brie, in the city of London, 1578." Prefixed is the por-
trait of Mr. Lant, aged thirty-two. It contains thirty
plates (in the copy we have seen, but Strutt says thirty-
four) and has usually been considered as the first English
work by De Brye. There was a copy in Mr. Gough's col-
lection, which was purchased at his sale in 1810 by sir
Joseph Banks for thirty-eight guineas. Mr. Strutt describes
another roll by De Brye, representing the procession of
the knights of the garter in 1576, which was considered as
unique. The copy belonged to the late 6ir*John Fenn;
De Brye's two sons were engravers, but nothing is re-
corded of them, unless, as already noticed, that they con-
tinued Boissard's portraits and Roman antiquities.1

BRYENNIUS (Nicephorus), was a native of Orestia,
in Macedonia, and married the princess Anna Comneira,
daughter of Alexius Comnenus, who raised him to the
rank of Caesar, but declined announcing him as his suc-
cessor in prejudice of his own son. After the death of
Alexius, the empress Irene and her daughter Anna at-

1 Strait1! Diet— Lord Orford's £ngraver9.

BRYENNIUS. *}i

tempted to elevate Bryemnus to the empire, but he re-
fused to concur iu the plot. Having been sent in LI 37 Va
besiege Antioch, he fell sick, and returning to Constant
tinople, died in that city. His history of the reigns of
Isaac Comnenus and of the three succeeding emperors,
was comprised in four books, and published with a Latin
translation, by the Jesuit Poussines, at Paris, in 1661, tQ
which the annotations of Du CangQ were annexed in
1670.1

BRYENNiyS (Manujs;*.), tbQ last writer on music in
the Greek language that. has. come tQ our knowledge,
flourished upder the elder Pal^eologqs, about the ye^r
1320, audit is probable that he was a descendant of th$
house of Brienne, an ancient French family, that weitf
into Greece during the crusa^^s, at the beginning of the
thirteenth century. His work is, divided inlp three books*
all which are confined tp harmonics; the first is a kind of
commentary on Euclid; and the second and third .Ifctit
more than explanations qf the doctrines of Ptolemy t M$i->
bomius bad promised a Latin translation of this book* bjrt
dying before it was finished, Dr. Wallis perforated tin?
task, and it now constitutes a part of the third volume of
his works, published at Oxford, 1699, 3 vols, fpl, 2

BIJATtNANCAY (Louis Qasjiiel pu), ch/svalier and
count of Nan$ay, was born near Livarpt, in Normandy,
March 2, 1732, and died pn his estate at Nan<jay> Sept.
13, 1787. He was minister plenipotentiary in most of
the courts pf Germany, and having a great taste for Jus^
tpry, politics, and antiquities, passed much of his time in
pursuits calculated to gratify it He published the fol-
lowing works, all of which were well received by hb
toqntrymen: I. "Tableau de gouvernement de 1'Alle-
roagpe," 1755, 12mo. 2* " Origines, ou 1'ancien gour
vernement de la France, de I'Altemagne, et cje 1' Italic,'*
Hague, 1757, 4 vols, Svo. 3. " L'Histoire ancieppp dea
peuples de l'Europe," 1772, 12 vols. l£mo, -4. <Mle-
cherches sur l'Histoire d'Allemagne," 1770* 2 vols. fol«
5. " Maximes du gouvernement monarchiqi^" 1799,
4 vols. $vo, and several other dissertations on subjects of
history and politics, He wa$ aUo autlvor of ft tragedy
named " Charlemagne," printed, and of another, u Rosa*-
ipond," which remains in manuscript, 3

1 Moreri. — Dupin.

* Burney'B Hist, of Mwic, vol. H.-p-Ries's CydopwdJa. »:DtUt,Uikt,

216 B U C.

BUC (George), a learned antiquary, was born in Lin-
colnshire, in the sixteenth century, and flourished in the
beginning of the seventeenth. He was descended from
the ancient family of the Bucs, or Buckes, of West Stan-
ton, and Herthill, in Yorkshire, and Melford-bal!> in Suf-
folk. His great-grandfather, sir John Buc, knight, was
one > of king Richard the Third's favourites, and attended
that unfortunate prince to the battle of Boswortb, where
he lost his crown and life. In the first parliament of king
Henry VII. this sir John Bue was attainted for being one
of the chief aiders and assistants to the king just now men-*
tioned, in the battle of Boswortb, and soon after was be-
headed at Leicester. By this -attainder bis posterity were
reduced to very great distress ; but, through the interest
6f Thomas duke of Norfolk, the great patron of the fa-
mily, they had probably some of their estates restored to
them, and, among others, that in Lincolnshire, where our
author was born. In the reign of king James I. he was made
oftg'of the gentlemen of his majesty's privy-chamber, and
Knighted. He was also constituted master of the revels,
Wnose officie was then kept on St. Peter's-hill, in London.
What he mostly distinguished himself by, was writing
" The Life and Reign of Richard III. in five books,"
whereiny in opposition to the whole body of English his-
torians, he endeavours to represent that prince's person
and* actions in a quite different light from what they have
been by others; and takes great pains to wipe off the
bloody stains that have been fixed upon his character. He
has also written : " The third universitie of England ; or,
a treatise of the foundations of all the colledges, ancient
schooles of priviledge, and of houses of learning, and libe-
rall arts, within and about the most famous citie of London.
With a briefe report of the sciences, arts, and faculties
therein professed, studied, and practised/' And a treatise
of *' The Art of Revels." Mr. Camden gives him the cha-
racter of " a person of excellent learning," and thankfully*
acknowledges that he " remarked many things in his his-;
toriet, and courteously communicated his observations to
bim/' He has since received very able support, and
Richard III. has found a powerful advocate in Horace
Walpole, the late lord Orford, who in his "Historic
Doubts" has, with much ingenuity, at least, shewn that
the evidence produced in confirmation of Richard's crimes,
is fa* from being decisive. But we have now an " historic :

I

.BUC. 217

doubt" to bring forward of more importance to the pre*
sent article, which we find in a note . on Malone's Shak-
speare, in the following words : il I take this opportunity
of correcting an error into which Anthopy Wood has fallen,
and which has been implicitly adopted in the new edition
of the Btographia Britannica, and many other books. The
error I allude to, is, that this sir George Buc, who was
knighted at Whitehall by king James the. day before his
coronation, July 23, 160&, was the author *>f the cele-
brated i ' History of king Richard the Third ;' which was.
written « above twenty years after his death, by George
Buck, esq. who was, I suppose, his son. The precise
time of the father's death, I have not been able to ascer-
tain, 'there being no will of his in the prerogative office ;.
but Lbave reason to believe that it happened soon after
the year 1622. He certainly died before August 1629."

In answer to thi% Mr. Ritson asserts that there can be
no doubt \ of the fact, that sir George Buc was the author
of this History, although published, and said in the title
to be " composed by George Bucke, esq." in 1646, his
original MS, (though much injured by fire) being still
preserved among the Cotton MSS. * Mr. Ritson adds that
sir George died in 4623. He has also enrolled him
among his poets, on account of "An Eclog treating of
crownes, and of garlandes, and to whom of right they
appertaine. Addressed and consecrated to the king* s ma-
jestie," 1605, 4to, and of some other verses.

Sir George Buc's History of Richard is printed in Ken-
net's Complete History of England, and his " Third Uni-
versale" first printed in 1615, fol. is appended to Stowe's
Chronicle, by Howes, 163 l;1

BUCER (Martin), an eminent German reformer, was
born in 1491, at Schelestadt, a town of Alsace. At the
age of seven he took the religious habit in the order of St.
Dominic, and with the leave of the prior of his convent,
went to Heidelberg to learn logic and philosophy. Having
applied himself afterwards to divinity, he made it his en-,
deavour to acquire a thorough knowledge of the Greek
and Hebrew. About this time some of Erasmus's pieces
came abroad, which he read with great avidity, and
meeting afterwards with certain tracts of Luther, and com-

1 B'wg. Brit. — Ritson's Bibliograpbia Poetica. — Archaeologia, vol. I. p. xix.
tol. IX. p. 134.

SI* BUCER.

paring the doctrine there delivered with the sacred scrip-
tures, he began to entertain doubts concerning several
things in the popish religion. His uncommon learning
and his eloquence, which was assisted by a strong and
musical voice, and his free censure of the vices of the
times, recommended him to Frederick elector palatine*
who made him one of hw chaplains. After some con-
ferences with Luther, at Heidelberg, in 1 52 ! , lie adopted
nrjost of his religious notions, particularly those with re-
gard to justification. However, in 1532, he gave the
preference to the sentiments of ZuingHus, but used bis
utmost endeavours to re-unite the two parties, who both
opposed the Romish religion. He is looked upon as one
of the first authors of the reformation at Strasburg, where
he taught divinity for twenty years, and was one of the
ministers of the town. He assisted at many conferences
concerning religion ; and in 1548, was sent for to Augs-
burg to sign that agreement betwixt the Protestants and
Papists, which was called the Interim. His warm oppo*
sition to this project exposed him to many difficulties and
harships ; the news of which reaching England, where his
fame had already arrived, Cranmer, archbishop of Canter*
bury, gave him an invitation to come over, which he
readily accepted. In 1549 an handsome apartment waa
assigned him in the university of Cambridge, and a salary
to teach theology. King Edward VI. bad the greatest re-
gard for him ; being told that he was very sensible of the
cold of this climate, and suffered much for want of a Ger-
man stove, he sent him an hundred crowns to purchase one.
He died of a complication of disorders, in 1551, and was
buried at Cambridge, in St. Mary's church, with great fu->
neral pomp. Five years after, in the reign of queen Mary,
his body was dug up and publicly burnt, and his tomb de-
molished ; but it was afterwards set up again by order of
queen Elizabeth. He married a nun, by whom he had
thirteen children. This woman dying of the plague, he
married another, and, according to some, upon her death,-
be took a third wife. His character is thus given by Burnet :
u Martin Bucer was a very learned, judicious, pious, and
moderate person. Perhaps he was inferior to none of all
the reformers for learning ; but for zeal, for true piety,
and a most tender care of preserving unity among the fo-
reign churches, Melancthon and he, without any injury
done to the rest, may be ranked apart by themselves. He

B U C E R. *1»

was mock opposed by the Popish party at Cambridge;
who, though they complied with the law, ami s6 kept tfifeir
places, yet, either in the way of argument, as if it had
been for disputed sake, or i-H such point 9 as were not de-
termined, set themselves much to lessen his esteetft. Nor
was he furnished naturally with that quickness that is ne-
cessary for <a disputant, from which they studied to draw
advantages ; and therefore Peter Martyr wrote to him to
avoid all public disputes." His writings were in Latin:
and in German, and so numerous, that it is computed they
would form eight or nine folio volumes. H19 anxiety to
reconcile the 'Lutherans and Zuinglians led him to use
many general' aitd perhaps ambiguous expresskms in his
writings. He seems to have thought Luther's notion, of
the sacrament too strong, and that of Zuinglius too weak.
Verbeiden in Latin, and Lupton in English, have given a
list of his works, but without size or dates. -1

BUCHAN (Elspeth, or Elizabeth)* the foundress of a
set of modern fanatics, and the daughter of John Simpson',
the keeper of an inn at Fitmy-Can, the half-way house
between Banff and Portsoy, in the north of Scotland, was
born in 173$; and, when she had completed her one~and~
twentieth year, was sent to Glasgow, where she entered into
the service of Mr. Martin, one of the principal proprietors of
the Delfts work there. In this situation she had remained
but a short time, when she accepted proposals of marriage
from Robert Buchan, one of the workmen in the service
of the same Mr. Martin. Fo^ some years, Robert and
Elspetb Buchan lived happily together, having many chil-
dren* whom they educated in 'a manner suitable to their
station in life. At the time of her marriage, Mrs. Buchan
was of the episcopal persuasion, but the hdsband being a
bnrgher-seceder, she adopted his principles, and entered
into communion with that sect She had always been a con-
stant reader of the scriptures ; and taking a number of
passages in a strictly literal sense, she changed her opi-
nions about the year 177*, became the promulgator of many
singular doctrines, and soon brought over to her notions
Mr. Hugh Whyte, a dissenting minister at Irvine, and

1 Melchior Adam in vitis Theologoruni.— Batesii Vita, p. 25.0.-— Strype**
Life of sir John Cheke. — Gen. Diet. — Mosheim and Mil tier. — Verheiden's Effi-
gies.— Lupton's Lives. — Fuller's Abel Redivivus. — Burnet's Hist, of the Refor-
mation, and StrypeXLives of the Archbishop*, Annate and Memorials. Several
MSS. respecting him are in the library of C, C. Callege, Cambridge, the British
Museum, &c.

320 B.UCHA N.

connected with Mr. Bell in Glasgow, and Mr. Bain in
Edinburgh ; and who, upon Mr. Whyte's abdication of bi»
charge, settled Mr. Robertson in his place at Irvine. She
went on continually making new converts till April 1790,
at which time the populace in Irvine rose, assembled
round Mr. Whyte's house, and broke all the windows;
when Mrs. Buchan and the whole of her converts, of whom
the above-mentioned were a part, to the number of forty*
six persons, left Irvine. The Buchanites (for so they were
immediately called) went through Mauchlin, Cumnock old
and new, halted three days, at Kirconnel, passed through
Sanquhar and Thoruhill, and then settled at a farm-house,
the out-houses of which they had all along possessed, pay-
ing for them, as well as for whatever they wanted.

The gentleman from whom this narrative was received,
being a merchant in Glasgow, and having occasion to go
to that country* spent a great part of two days in their
company in August 1784, conversing with most of them ;
and from him we shall give what he was able to pick up of
their particular notions :

" The Buchanites pay great attention to the bible ; be-
ing always reading it, or having it in their pocket, or under
their arm, proclaiming it the best book in the world. They
read, sing hymns, preach, and converse much about reli-
gion ; declaring the last day to be at hand, and that no
one of all their company shall ever die, or be buried in the
earth ; but soon shall hear the voice of the last trumpet,
when all the wicked shall be struck dead, and remain so
for one thousand years : at the same moment they, the Bu-
chanites, shall undergo an agreeable change, shall be
caught up to meet the Lord in the air, from whence they
shall return to this earth, in company with the Lord Jesus,
with whom as their king they shall possess this earth one
thousand years, the devil being bound with a chain in the
interim. At the end of one thousand years, the devil shall
be loosed, the wicked quickened, both shall assail th£ir
camp, but be repulsed,, with the devil at their head, while
they fight valiantly under the Lord Jesus Christ as their
captain-general.

" Since the Buchanites adopted their principles, they
neither marry, nor are given in marriage, nor consider
themselves bound to any conjugal duties, or mind to in-
dulge themselves in any carnal enjoyments; but having
one common purse for their cash, they are all sisters and

ftuaHAU, 221

brothers, living a holy life as the angels of God ; and be-
ginning and continuing in the same holy life, they shall
live. under the Lord Jesus Christ, their king, after his se-
cond coming. The Buchanites follow no industry, being
commanded to take no thought of to-morrow ; but, observ-
ing how the young ravens are fed, and how the lilies grow,
th^y. assure themselves God will much more feed and clothe
them. They, indeed, sometimes work at mason-wright
and husbandry work to people in their neighbourhood ; but
then they refuse all wages, or any consideration whatever,
but declare their whole object in working at all is to mix
with the world, and inculcate those important truths of
which they themselves are so much persuaded.

" Some people call Mrs. Buchan a witch ; which she
treats with contempt. Others declare she calls herself the
virgin Mary, .which title she also refuses; declaring she
has more to boast of, * viz. that the virgin Mary was only
Christ's mother after the flesh, whereas she assures herself
to be Christ's daughter after the spirit.

" Her husband is still in the burgher-secession commu-
nion ; and when I asked Mrs. Buchan, and others of the
Buchanites who knew me, if they had any word to any of
vtbeir. acquaintances in Glasgow? they all declared they
minded not former things and former connections; but
that the whole of their attention was devoted to their fel-
low-saints, the living a holy life, and thereby hastening
the second coming of their Lord Jesu& Christ."

Mrs. Buchan died about the beginning of May 1791 ;
and as her followers were before greatly reduced in num-
ber, it is probable that nothing more will be heard of them*1
BUCHAN (William), a medical writer of great popu-
larity, descended of a respectable family in Roxburghshire,
was born at Ancram in the year 1729. Having passed
through the usual school education, he Was sent to the
university at Edinburgh. His inclination leading him to
mathematics, he became so considerable a proficient in
that branch of science, as to be enabled to give private
lessons to many of the pupils. Having made choice of me*
dicine for his profession, he attended the lectures of the
•everal professors, necessary, to qualify him for practice;
aud as he was of a studious turn of mind, his progress in
knowledge may be supposed to have been equal to bis ap^
plication.

* L»*t e4&on of thU DtyfoMrjr.

283 BUCHA N.

. After having passed a period of not less tfean nine years
at the university, he first settled in practice at Sheffield,
in Yorkshire. He was soon afterwards elected physician to
a large branch of the Foundling hospital then established at
Ackwortb. In the course of two years he reduced the an-
nual number of deaths among the children from one half
( to one in fifteen ; and by the establishment of due regula-
tions for the preservation of health, greatly diminished the
previously hurthensome expense of medical attendance.
In this situation, he derived from experience that know-
ledge of the complaints, and of the general treatment of
children, wbicl* was afterwards published in " The Do-
mestic Medicine," and in the " Advice to Mothers ;**
works which, considering their very general Affusion, have
no doubt tended to ameliorate the treatment of children,
and consequently to improve the constitutions of the pre*
sent generation of the inhabitants of this country. Wheri
that, institution was dissolved, in coosequeoce of parliament
withdrawing their support from it, Dr Bucfaan returned to
Edinburgh, where he became a fellow of the royal college
of physicians, and settled in the practice of his profession,
relying in some measure on the countenance and support
of the relations of the lady he married, who was- of 4 re-
spectable family in that city. On the death of one of the
professors, the doctor offered himself as a candidate for
the vacant chair, but did not succeed.

. About this period, the work entitled " Domestic MedU
cine" was first published, with die view of laying open the
science of medicine, and rendering it familiar to the com-
prehension of mankind in general. In this plan be wats
encouraged by the late Dr. Gregory, of liberal memory*
who was of opinion, that to render onedicine generally in-
telligible was the only means of putting an end to the im-
postures of quackery. The work was also patronised by,
aad dedicated to, sir John Pringle, then president of the *
royal society, and a distant relation of the author. This
work has. had a degree of success unequalled by any other
medical book in the English language. It has also been*
translated into every European language. On its appear-
ing in Russian, the late empress Catharine transmitted to
the author a large and elegant medallion of gold, accom-
panied by a letter expressive of her sentiments of the uti-
lity of his exertions towards promoting the welfare of man-
kind in general* Yet successful as this work has proved,,

f

buchak m

Dr. Btaefaan's expectations from it were not great/ and he
sold the copyright in 1771 for a very inconsiderable sum;
but the liberal purchaser, the late Mr* Cadell, and his suc-
cessors, made the doctor a handsome present on revising
each edition, of which he lured to see nineteen published,
amounting to upwards of 80,000 copies, it has likewise
been printed in Ireland and America, and pirated in vari-
ous shapes in England, but without much diminution either
of the sale or credit of the authentic work

. On the death of Fergusson, the celebrated lecturer o*i
natural philosophy, which took place about the year 1775,
be bequeathed to the doctor the whole of his apparatus.
Unwilling that this collection, which at that period was
perhaps the best this country could boast of, should re-
main shut up and useless, the doctor, with the assistance
of his son, who conducted the experimental part, delivered
several courses of lectures, during three years, at Edin*
burgh, with great success, the theatre being always crowded
with auditors. < On removing to London, he disposed of
this apparatus to Dr. Lettsom. Of natural philosophy, the
part which particularly attracted the doctor's attention was
astronomy. Nothiug delighted him more than to point out
the celestial phenomena on a fine starlight evening to any
young person who appeared willing to receive information ;
and the friendship of the late highly respectable astrono-
mer royal, Dr. Maskelyne, afforded him every facility of '
renovating his acquaintance with the planetary bodies,
whenever so inclined.

He was possessed of a most retentive memory, which wnt
particularly exemplified in his recollection of the Bible*
which in his more early years he had been much** accus-
tomed to peruse with attention. On an appeal being made
to him concerning amy particular text of scripture, he
hardly ever erred in giving the very words of which it con-
listed,, and pointing out the precise chapter and verse
where it was to be found. The same faculty furnished him
with an infinite fond of amusing anecdotes, which he used
«q rel&te in a good-humoured and entertaining manner.*
This talent rendered his company much courted by private *
cifdes, and interfered with that assiduous attention to-
business requisite to .ensure success to a medical praeti-
tioner in the metropolis; which his popular reputation aw*
pleasing manners were in other respects well calculated to
obtain. He latterly confined his practice to giving advice '

SM BUCHAN.

at home, and in that way did more business than most
people acquainted with his habits supposed.

The doctor had a prepossessing exterior, and was of a
mild, humane, and benevolent disposition, which not only,
embraced all the human race, but was extended to the
whole of the animal creation. He was blessed with an ex-
cellent constitution, never having experienced sickness till
within a year of his decease, when he began sensibly to
decline. The immediate cause of his death, of the ap-»
proach of which he was sensible, and which he met with
the same gentleness and equanimity which characterized
every action of his life, appeared to be an accumulation of
water in the chest. He died Feb. 2*, 1805, in the. se-
venty-sixth year of his age, and is buried in the cloisters
of Westminster- abbey. Two children survive him, a daugh*
ter and a son, the latter of whom, a man of profound, and
general learning, has been for some years settled in prac-
tice as a physician in Percy-street, London.

Besides the works above-mentioned, Dr. Buchan pub-
lished a "Treatise on the Venereal Disease," 1796, which
has passed through several editions ; " Cautions concern-
ing Cold-bathing, and drinking Mineral-waters,*' 178.6,*-
8yo; and " A Letter to the Patentee, concerning the me-
dical properties of Fleecy Hosiery," 1700, 8vo«*

BUCHANAN (George), a Scottish historian, and La-
tin poet, of great eminence, and uncommon abilities and
learning, was descended from an ancient family, and was
born at Killairn, in the shire of Lenox, in Scotland, in the
month of February 1506. His father died of the stone in
the prime of life, whilst his grandfather was, yet living ; by
whose extravagance . the family, which before was. but in
low circumstances, was now nearly reduced to the extre-
mity of want. He had, however, the happiness of a very
prudent mother, Agnes, the daughter of James Heriot of
Trabrown, who, though she was left a widow with five sons,
and three daughters, brought them all up. in a decent man*: *
aer, by judicious management.. She had a brother, Mr;
James Heriot, who, observing the marks- of genius which,
young George Buchanan discovered when at school, sepi «
him to Paris in 1520 for his education. There he closely
applied himself to his studies, and particularly cultivated
hi? poetical talents: but before he had been there "quite*

» Gent. Mag. 1805.— Memoirs of William Smellie, F. R. S. and F. A.S.S.
lrhicfc contain a correspondence with Pr« Bucbaa, &<v

BUCHANAN. 325

tiro years, the death of his uncle, and his, own ill state of
health, and want of money,- obliged him to return home.
Having arrived in his native country, he spent almost. a
year in endeavouring to re-establish his health; and in
152 3^ in order to acquire some knowledge of military af-
fairs, he made a campaign with the French .auxiliaries,
who* came over into Scotland with John duke of Albany.
But in this new course of life he encountered so many
hardships,- that be was confined to bis bed by sickness all
the ensuing winter. He had probably much more propen-
sity to his books, than to the sword ; for early in the fol-
lowing spring he went to St. Andrews, and attended the
lectures on logic, or rather, as he says, on sophistry, which
were read in that university by John Major, or Many a
professor in St. Saviour's college, and assessor to the dean
of Arts, whom he soon after accompanied to Paris. After
struggling for about two years with indigence and ill for-
tune, he was admitted, in 1526, being then not more than
twenty years of age, in the college of St. Barbe,. where he^
took the degree of B. A. in 1527, and M. A. in 1528, and
in 1 529 was chosen procurator nationis, and began then to
teach grammar, which he continued for about three years.
But Gilbert Kennedy,: earl of Cassils, a young Scottish
nobleman, being then in France, and happening to fall
into th£ company of Buchanan, was so delighted with his
wit, and the agreeableness of his manners, that he pre-
vailed upon him to continue with him five years. Accord*
ing to Mackenzie, he acted as a kind of tutor to this young
nobleman ; and, during -his stay with him, translated Lin-
acre's Rudiments of grammar out of English into Latin ;
wtech Was printed sit Paris, by Robert Stephens, in"1533,
and dedicated to the earl of Cassils.' He returned to Scot-
land with that nobleman, whose death happened about two
ydfcrs after ; and Buchanan had then an inclination to re*
tuto-to France : but James V. king of Scotland* prevented
hinty by appointing him preceptor to his .natural son,
James,' afterwards the abbot of Kelso, .who died in 1548,
apd net, as some say, the earl of Murray, regent of that
kingdom. About this time, he wrote a satirical poem
.against the • Franciscan friars, entitled, " Somnium ;"
which irritated them to exclaiqi against him as a heretic.
Their Glamours, however, only increased the dislike which
he had conceived against diem, on account of .their disor-
derly and licentiqu* Jiyes ; and inclined bim the more,
Vol* VII. Q

226 BUCHANAN.

•wards Lutheranism, to which he seems to have had before
no inconsiderable propensity. "About the year 1538, the
king haying discovered a conspiracy against himself, in
which he suspected that some of the Franciscans were con-

- ceroed, commanded Buchanan to write a poem against
that order. But he had probably already experienced the

. inconveniency of exasperating so formidable a body ; for
he only wrote a few verses which were susceptible of a
double interpretation, and be pleased neither party. The
king was dissatisfied, that the satire was not more poig-
nant ; and the friars considered it as a heinous offence, to
mention them in any way that was not honourable. But
the king gave Buchanan a second command, to write
against them with more severity ; which he accordingly
did in the poem, entitled, " Franciscanus ;" by which he
. pleased the king, and rendered the friars his irreconcile-

- able enemies. He soon found, that the animosity of these

- ecclesiastics was of a more durable nature than royal fa-
vour : for the king had the meanness to suffer him to feeL
the weight of their resentment, though it had been chiefly

• excited by obedience to his commands. It was not the
Franciscans only, but the clergy in general, who were in-
censed against Buchanan : they appear to have made a
common cause of it, and they left no stone unturned till
they had prevailed with the king that he should be tried
for heresy. He was accordingly imprisoned at the begin-
ning of 1539, but found means to make his escape, as be
gays himself, out of his chamber- window, while his guards
were asleep. He fled into England, where he found king
Henry the Eighth persecuting both protestants and papists.
Not thinking that kingdom, therefore, a place of safety,
he again went over into France, to which he was the more
inclined because he had there some literary friends, 2nd

•was pleased with the politeness of French manners. But
when he came to Paris, he had the mortification to find

« there cardinal Beaton, who was his great enemy, and who
appeared there as ambassador from Scotland. Expecting,
therefore, to receive some ill offices from him, if he con-
tinued at Paris, he withdrew himself privately to Bour-
deaux, at the invitation of Andrew Govea, a learned Por-
tuguese, who was principal of a new college in that city.

; Buchanan taught in the public school* there three years ; in

- which time he composed two tragedies, the one entitled,
"Baptistes, sive CaluBmia," and the other "Jephthcfe,

.BUCHANAN. S27

Vbtum*;" and also translated the Medea and Alcestii
of Euripides. These were all afterwards published; but
they were originally written in compliance with the rules
of the school, which every year required some new dra-
matic exhibition ; and his view in choosing these subjects
was, to draw off the youth of France as much as possible
from the allegories, which were then greatly in vogue, to
a just imitation of the ancients ; in which he succeeded be-
yond his hopes. During his residence at Bourdeaux, the
emperor Charles V. passed through that city ; upon which
Buchanan presented his imperial majesty with an elegant
Latin poem, in which the emperor was highly compli-
mented, and at which he expressed great satisfaction. But
the animosity of cardinal Beaton still pursued our poet :
•for that haughty prelate wrote letters to the archbishop of
Bourdeaux, in which be informed him, that Buchanan had
fled his country for heresy; that he had lampooned the
church in most virulent satires ; and that if he would put
him to the trial, he would find him a most pestilentioua
heretic. Fortunately for Buchanan, these letters fell into
Che hands of some of his friends, who found means to pre-
vent their effects : and the state of public affairs in Scot-
land, in consequence of the death of king James V. gave
the cardinal so much employment, as to prevent any far-
ther prosecution of his rancour against Buchanan.

In 1543, he quitted Bourdeaux, on account of the pes-
tilence being there ; and about this time seems, to have had
some share in the education of Michael de Montaigne, th*
celebrated anthor of the Essays. In 1544, he went to
Paris, where he taught the second class of the college of
Bourbon, as Tumebus did the first, and Muretus the third;
«nd it appears that in some part of this year he was afflicted
with the gou£ In 1547, he went into Portugal with hj|
friend Andrew Govea, who had received orders from the
king his master to return home, and bring with him a, cer-
tain number of learned men, qualified to teach the Aristo-%
telian philosophy, and polite literature, in the university

* A translation of the Baptistes was, 1578, when it was printed at London*

published, in 1641* which Mr. Peck His translation of the Medea of Euri-

sapposed to have been made by Mil- pides was acted at Bourdeaux in 1549,

ton, and therefore re-printed it with his His Jephthes was published at Paris in

New Memoirs of the Life and Poetical 1554, and his translation of the Alces*

Works of Milton, published in 4to, in tis of Euripides at the same place i*

1740. The Baptistes, though the first 155$. %
written, was not published till the year

a 2

228

BUCHANAN.

which he had lately established at Coimbra. Re says, tfiat
he the more readily agreed to go to Portugal, because that
" all Europe besides was either actually engaged in foreign
or domestic wars, or upon the point of being so ; and that
this corner of the world appeared to him the most likely to
be free from tumults and disturbances. Besides which,
his companions in that journey were such, that they seemed
.rather his familiar friends than strangers, or foreigners;
for with most of them he had been upon terms of much in-
timacy for some years; and they were men well known to
.the world by their learned works *•**

During the life of Govea, who was a great favourite of
his Portuguese majesty, matters went on extremely well
with Buchanan in Portugal 5 but after the death of Govea,
which happened in 1548, a variety of ill treatment was
practised against the learned men who followed him, arid
particularly against Buchanan. He was accused of being
author of the poem against the Franciscans, of having
eaten flesh in time of Lent, and of having said that, with
respect to the Eucharist, St. Augustine was more favourable
to the doctrine of the reformers, than to that of the church
of Rome. Besides these enormities, it was also deposed
•against him by certain witnesses, that they had heard from
divers reputable persons, that Buchanan was not orthodox
as to the Romish faith and religion. These were sufficient
reasons in that country for putting any man into the in-
quisition ; and accordingly, Buchanan was confined there
about a year and a half. He was afterwards removed to a
more agreeable prison, being confined in a monastery till
he should be better instructed in the principles of the
Romish church. He says of the monks. under whose care
he was placed, that " they were altogether ignorant of re*
£jgion, but were otherwise, men neither bad in their mo-
rals, nor rude in their behaviour." It was during his re-
sidence in this monaster}*, that he began to translate the^

* Mackenzie says, that "before Bu-
chanan undertook this voyage for Por-
tugal, he caused his friend Andrew
Govea to inform the king of Portugal,
.by a letter, of the whole affair between
him and the Franciscans in Scotland,
and that the satire be had writ against
them, was not, as his enemies gave
*ut, to defame the catholics, but wrote
in obedience to the king bis .master¥

command, whom the Franciscans had
offended. The king of Portugal being
satisfied with this apology, Govea, Ni-
cholas Gruchiut, GulteUou* Garaoiia-
tis, Jacobus Tssviuy, fiettus Venetua*
Mr. Buchanan, and hia brother Mr.
Patrick Buchanan, embarked for Porta*
gal, where they safaly arrived ittJba
•year 1547t»

* *

B U CHANAN,

22fr

Psalms of David* into Latin verse; and which he exe-
cuted, sajs Mackenzie, " with such inimitable sweetness
and elegancy, that this version of the Psalms will be
esteemed and admired as long as the world endures, or
men have any relish for poetry.'1 Having obtained his
liberty in 155 1, be desired a passport of the king, in order
to return to France ; but his majesty endeavoured to re-
tain him in his service, and assigned him a small pension
till he should procure him an employment. But these
uncertain hopes did not detain him long in Portugal ; and
indeed, it was not to be supposed that the treatment which
be had received there, could give a man of Buchanan's
temper any great attachment to the place. He readily
embraced an opportunity which offered of embarking for
England, where, however, he made no long stay, though
some advantageous offers were made him. Edward VI.
was then upon the throne of England, but Buchanan, ap-
prehending the affairs of that kingdom to be in a very
unsettled state, went over into France at the beginning of

. the year 1553. It seems to have been about this time that
he wrote some of those satirical pieces against the monks,

: which are found in his " Fratres Fraterrimi." He was also
probably now employed at Paris in teaching the belles-

,lettres; but though be seems to have been fond of France,

* Mr. Granger observes, that " the
most applauded of Buchanan's poetical
,- works is his translation of the Psalms,
particularly of the 104th." — « This
psalm has been translated into Latin
by nine Scottish poets. Eight of these
. translations were printed at Edinburgh,
1699, 12mo, together with the Poetic

• Duel of Dr. George Eglisem with Bu-
chanan. The former accused that
great poet of bad Latin, and bad
poetry, in his version of this psalm,
and made no scruple of preferring his
own. translation of it to Buchanan's."
Eglisem made an appeal to the uni-
versity of Paris, concerning the justice

uof his own criticisms on Buchanan.

v Tn the second volume of the " Poeta-
rum Scotorum Musso Sacrse," pub-
lished at Edinburgh, m 1139, is re-

• printed the piece mentioned by Mr.
Granger, .under the following title :
" Poeticum Duelhims sen Georgii

' Eglisemmii cum, Georgio Bucbanano
pro dignitate Paraphrases Psalmi civ.
certamen. Cui adnectitur Qui. Bar-
elaii, amosuiorum artium fc medicine

doctoris, de eodem certamine judi-
cium ; nee non consilium collegii me-
dici Parisiensis de ejusdem Eglisemmii
mania, quod carmine exhibuit A re-
turns Jonstenus, M . D." The vanity
and absurdity of Eglisem are ridiculed,
in this with much humour. Barclay
says, that " it would be more difficult
to find in Buchanan's translation any
verses that are not good, than it would
be to find any in EgliseaVs that are not
bad." In the Poeticum Duellum the
versions of the 104th psalm by Bu-
chanan and Eglisem are printed oppo-
site to each other ; and at the end, of
the second volume of the Poetarum
Scotorum, besides the pieces con-
cerning Buchanan and Eglisem, are
six other versions of the same psalm,
by Scottish poets, the last of whom it
Dr. Archibald Pitcairne. These are
the versions mentioned by Mr. Granger,
but he enumerates one more than there
are, there being only eight in the
whole, including those of Buchanan
and Eglisem.

ISO BUCHANAN.

\

yet he sometimes expresses his dissatisfaction lit his treat-
merit and situation there. The subject of one of his elegies
is the miserable condition of those who were employed in,
teaching literature at Paris. His income was, perhaps,
small ; and he seems to have bad no great propensity to
ceconomy ; but this is a disposition too common among the
votaries of the Muses, to afford any peculiar reproach
against Buchanan. In 1555, the marshal de BrisSac, to
whom he had dedicated his " Jephthes," sent for Buchanan
into Piedmont, where he then commanded, and made him
preceptor to Timoleon de Coss6, his son ; and he spent
five years in this station, partly in Italy, and partly in
France. This employment probably afforded him much
leisure ; for he now applied himself closely to the study of
the sacred writings, in order to enable him to form the
more accurate judgment concerning the subjects in con-
troversy between the Protestants and Papists. It was also
during this period that he composed his ode upon the
taking of Calais by the duke of Guise, his- epithalamium
upon the marriage of Mary queen of Scots to the Dauphin
of France, and part of his poem upon the Sphere.

In the year 1561, be returned to Scotland, and finding
the reformation in a manner established there, he openly
renounced the Romish religion, and declared himself a
Protestant, but attended the court of queen Mary, and
even superintended her studies.. In 1563 the parliament
appointed him, with others, to inspect the revenues of the
universities, and to report a model of instruction. He
was also appointed by the assembly of the church, to re-
vise the " Book of Discipline." In 1564 the queen gave
him a pension of five hundred pounds Scotch, which has
been, not very reasonably, made the foundation of a charge
of ingratitude against him, because he afterwards could not
dafend the queen's conduct with respect to the mur-
der of her husband, and her subsequent marriage with
Bothwell. About 1566 he was made principal of St Leo-
nard's college, in the university of St. Andrew's, where he
taught philosophy for some time ; and he employed his
leisure hours in collecting all his poems, such of them ex-
cepted as were in the hands of his friends, and of which
he had no copies. In 1567, on account of his uncommon
abilities and learning, he was appointed moderator of the
general assembly of the. church of Scotland. He joined
himself to the party that acted against queen Mary, and

BUCHANAN.

29-J

appears to have been particularly connected with the earl
of Murray, who had been educated by him, and for whom
he had a great regard. He attended that nobleman to the
conference at York, and afterwards at Hampton -court,
being nominated one of the assistants to,tbe commissioner*
who were sent to England against queen Mary. He had
been previously appointed, in an assembly of the Scottish
nobility, preceptor to the young king James VI.*

During his residence in England, he wrote some enco*
mi&stic verses in honour of queen Elizabeth, and several
English ladies of rank, from whom he received present.
He appears to have been very ready to receive favours of
that kind ; and, like Erasmus, not to have been at. all
backward in making his wants known, or taking proper
measures to procure occasional benefactions from the great.
In 1571 he published his *•' Detectio Mariae Reginae,'Vin
which he very severely arraigned the conduct and cha-
racter of queen Mary, and expressly charged /her with,
being concerned in the murder of her husband lord
Darnly. At the beginning of 1570, his pupil, the earl
of Murray, regent of Scotland, was assassinated, which,
Mackenzie says, " was a heavy stroke to him, for he loved
him as his own life." He continued, however, to be in
favour with some of those who were invested with power
in Scotland ; for, after the death of the earl of Murray, he
was appointed one of the lords of the council, and lord
privy seal. It appears also that he had a pension of one
hundred pounds a year, settled on him by queen Eliza-
beth. In 1579 he published his famous treatise " De Jure
Regni apud Scotos ;" which he dedicated to king James.
In 1582 he published at- Edinburgh, his " History <rf Scot-
land," in twenty books, on which he had chiefly em-
ployed the last twelve or thirteen years of his life. He

* It appears from a story related
by Mackenzie, that Buchanan bad not
the most profound reverence for the
Tank of his royal pupil. The young
king being one day at play with his
fellow pupil, the master of Erskine, the
earl of Mar's eldest son, Buchanan,
who was reading, desired them to make
less noise. Finding that they disre-
garded his admonition, he told bis ma-
jesty, that if he did not hold his tongue,
he would certainly whip him. The
king replied, he should be glad' to see
who would bell the cat, alluding to tha

fable. Upon this, Buchanan threw
his book from him in a passion, and
gave his majesty a severe whipping.
The old countess of Mar, who was in
an adjoining apartment, hearing .-the
king ory, ran to him, and inquired
what was tbe matter. He told her,
that the master, for so Buchanan was
called, had whipped him. v She imme-
diately asked Buchauan " howhedurtt
put his band on the Lord's anointed ?"
His reply was, *' Madam, I have whip-
ped his a—, you may kits it if yoa
plqase." «<»?

338 BUCHANA' N.

died at Edinburgh the same year, on the 5th of December
in the seventy-sixth year of his age. Towards the close of
his life, he had sometimes resided at Stirling. It is said,
that when he was upon his death-bed, he was informed
that the king was highly incensed against him for writing
his book " De Jure Regni," and his " History of Scot-
land ;" to which he replied, that " he was not much con-
cerned about that ; for he was shortly going to a place
where there were few kings." We are also told, that when
he was dying, he called for his servant, whose name -was
Young, and asked him how* much money he had of his ;
and finding that it was not sufficient to defray the expences
6f bis bUrial, he commanded him to distribute it amongst
the poor. His servant thereupon asked him : • " Who then
would be at the charge of burying him ?" Buchanan re-
plied, " That he was very indifferent about that ; for. if
he were once dead, if they would not bury him, they
might let him lie where he was, or throw his corpse where
they pleased." Accordingly, he was buried at the ex-
pence of the city of Edinburgh. Archbishop Spotswood
says of Buchanan, that " in his old age he applied himself
to write the /Scots History, which he renewed with such*
judgment and eloquence, as no country can shew a better:
only in this he is justly blamed, that he sided with the
factions of the time, and to justify the proceedings of the
noblemen against the queen, he went so far in depressing
the royal authority of princes, and allowing their coutroul-
ment by subjects ; his bitterness also in writing of the
queen, and of the times, all wise men have disliked ; but
otherwise no man bath merited better of his country for
learning, nor thereby did bring to it more glory. He was
buried in the common burial-place, though worthy to have
been laid in marble, and to have bad some statue erected
to his memory ; but such pompous monuments in his life
he was wont to scorn and despise,, esteeming it a greater
credit, as it was said of the Roman Cato, to have it asked,
Why doth be lack a statue ? than to have had one, though
never so glorious, erected.*' -

Mr. Teissier says, that " it cannot be denied but Bu-
chanan was a man of admirable eloquence, of rare prudence,
and of an exquisite judgment; he has written the History
of Scotland with such elegancy and politeness, that he
surpasses all the writers of his 9ge$ and he has even equalled
the ancients themselves, without excepting either Sallust

B U C H ANAR 23S

or Titus Livius. But be is accused by some of being an
unfaithful historian, and to have shewn in his history at*
extreme aversion against queen Mary Stuart ; but his
master-piece is his Paraphrase upon the Psalms, in whichf
he outdid the most famous poets amongst the French and
Italians."

Mr. James Crawford, in his " History of the House of
Este," says, " Buchanan not only excelled ail that went
before him in his own country, but scarce had his equal
m that learned age in which he lived. He spent the first
flame and rage of his fancy in poetry, in which he did
imitate Virgil in heroics, Ovid in elegiacs, Lucretius in
philosophy, Seneca in tragedies, Martial in epigrams, Ho-
lace and Juvenal in satires. Hecopied after these great mas-
ters so perfectly, that nothing ever approached nearer the
original : and his immortal Paraphrase on the Psalms doth
shew, that neither the constraint of a limited matter, the
darkness of expression, nor the frequent return of the
same, or the like phrases, could confine or exhaust that
vast genius. At last, in his old age, when his thoughts
were purified by long reflection and business, and a true
judgment came in the rpom of one of the richest fancies
that ever was, he wrote our History with such beauty of
style, easiness of expression, and exactness in all it$ parts,
that no service or honour could have been done the nation
like it, had he ended so noble a work as he begun, and
carried it on till James the Fifth's death. But being un-
happily engaged in a faction, and resentment working vio-
lently upon him, he suffered himself to be so strangely
biassed, that in the relations he gives of many of the tran-
sactions of his own time, he may rather pass for a satirist
than an historian."

Burnet says, that " in the writings of Buchanan there
appears, not only all the beauty and graces of the Latin :
tongue, but a vigour of mind, and quickness of thought,
far. beyond Bembo, or the other Italians, who at that time
affected to revive the purity of the Roman style. It was
but a feeble imitation of Tully in them ; but his style is so
natural and nervous, and his reflections on things are so
solid (besides his immortal poems, in which he shews how
well be could imitate all the Roman poets, in their several: .
ways of writing, that he who compares them will be often
tempted to prefer the copy to the original), that he is

tU BUC HAN A N,'

justly reckoned the greatest and best of our modern
authors."

The celebrated Thuanus observes, that " Buchanan*
being old, began to write the history of his own country;
and although, according to the genius of his nation, he
sometimes inveighs against crowned heads with severity,
yet that work is written with so much purity, spirit, and
judgment, that it does not appear to be the production of
a man who had passed all his days in the dust of a school,
but of one who had been all his life-time conversant in
the most important affairs of state. Such was the great-
ness of his mind, and the felicity of his genius, that the
meanness of his condition and fortune has not hindered
Buchanan from forming just sentiments of things of the
greatest moment, or from writing concerning them with a
great deal of judgment."

Dr. Robertson, speaking of Buchanan's History of Scot-
land, says, that " if his accuracy and impartiality had been,
in any degree, equal to the elegance of his taste, and to
the purity and vigour of his style, his history might be
placed on a level with the most admired compositions of
the ancients. But, instead of rejecting the improbable
tales of chronicle writers, he was at the utmost pains to
adorn them ; and hath clothed with all the beauties, and
graces of fiction, those legends which formerly had only
its wildness and extravagance." In another place, the
same celebrated historian observes, that " the happy genius
of Buchanan, equally formed to excel in prose and in
vjerse, more various, more original, and more elegant, than
that of almost any other modern who writes in Latin, re-
flects, with regard to this particular, the greatest lustre on
his country"

The genius and erudition of Buchanan have procured
him, as a writer, the applause even of his enemies : but,
as a man, he has-been the subject of the most virulent in-
vectives. Far from confining themselves to truth, they
have not even kept within the bounds of probability ; and
some of the calumnies which have been published against
him, related by Bayle, are calculated only to excite our
risibility. The learned John Le Clerc has very ably shewn,
that there is much reason to conclude, that many of the
severe censures which have been thrown out against Bu-
chanan, were the. result of ignorance, of prejudice, and of

BUCH A'NAN, »*•■

party animosity. That be was himself influenced by some!
degree of partiality to the party with which he was con-
nected, that he was sometimes deceived by the reports of
others, and that in the earlier part of his History, his zeal
for the ^honour of his country has led him into some nrisre-*
presentations* may be admitted : but we do not apprehend
that he wilfully and intentionally violated the truth, or that
there is any just ground for questioning his integrity. Le
Clerc observes, that- as to the share which Buchanan had
in public affairs, it appears even from the Memoirs of sir
James Melvil, who was of the opposite p&rty, that " he
distinguished himself by his probity, and by his modera-
tion." The prejudices of many writers against him have
been very great: he had satirized the priests, and many
of them therefore were his most inveterate enemies ; he
was generally odious to the bigotted advocates for the Ro-
mish church, and to the partisans of Mary ; and his free
and manly spirit rendered him extremely disagreeable to
court flatterers and parasites, and the defenders of tyranny.
His dialogue " De Jure Regni," which certainly contains
some of the best and most rational principles of govern*
m'ent, whatever may be thought of some particular senti-
ments, and which: displays uncommon acuteness and ex-
tent of knowledge, has been one source of the illiberal
abuse that has been thrown out against him. But it is a
performance that really does him great honour ; and the
rather, because it was calculated to enforce sound maxims
of civil policy, in an age in which they were generally
little understood. Some farther testimonies of authors
concerning him may be found in our references.

Dr. Lettice concludes a well-written life of him by re-
marking, that Buchanan, with regard to his person, is said
to have been slovenly, inattentive to dress, and almost to
have bordered upon rusticity in his manners and appear-
ance. The character of his countenance was manly but
austere, and the portraits remaining of him bear testimony
to this observation. But he was highly polished in his
language and style of conversation, which was generally
much seasoned with wit and humour. On every subject
he possessed a peculiar facility of illustration by lively
anecdotes and short moral examples ; and when his know-
ledge and recollection failed in suggesting these, his in-
vention immediately supplied him. He has- been too justly
reproached with instances of revenge, and forgetfuiness of

5$6 BUCHANA N.

obligations. These seem not, however, to have been cha-
racteristic qualities, but occasional failures of his nobler
nature, and arising from too violent an attachment t&
party, and an affection too partial towards individuals To
the. same source, perhaps, may be traced that easiness of
belief to which he is found too frequently to resign his bet-
ter judgment. His freedom from anxieties relative to for**
iune, and indifference to outward and accidental circum-
stances, gained him, with some,, the reputation of a Stoie
philosopher ; but as a state of mind undisturbed by the
vicissitudes of life, and a disposition to leave the morrow
to take care of itself, are enjoined by one far better than
Zeno, let us not forget that Buchanan is affirmed moreover
to have been religious and devout, nor -unjustly place so
illustrious a figure in the niche of an Athenian portico,
which claims no inferior station in the Christian temple. '

BUCHOLTZER,orBUCHOLCER (Abraham), usual-
ly ranked among the German reformers, was born §ept»
28, 1529, at Schonaw near Wittemberg, at which univer-
sity be was educated, and where he contracted an acquain-
tance with Melancthon, and while he was studying the
scriptures in their original languages, imbibed the prin-
ciples of the reformation. In 1555 he went into Silesia,
where the senate of Grunbergue invited him to superin-
tend a school newly erected in that city. This offer, by
Melancthon' s advice, he accepted in the following year,
and raised the school to a very high degree of reputation.
Melancthon had so good an opinion of him as to declare
that no young man could be supposed unfit for a univer-
sity, who had been educated under Bucholtzer. Nor was
he less celebrated as a preacher ; and upon account of his
services in promoting the reformation, enjoyed the favour
and patronage of Catherine, widow of Henry duke of
Brunswick, Ernest prince of Anhalt, and other persons of
rank. He died at Freistad in Silesia, Oct 14, 1584. He
composed a chronology from the beginning of the world to
the year 15SO, under the title of " Isagoge chronological
which was often reprinted.1

* Btog. Brit.— Chalmers's Life of Ruddiman passim, bat especially from p»
&10.— Hume, Robertson, and Stuart's Histories, as far as respect queen Mary.
«— Laing's History of Scotland, and an elaborate review of it in the British Critic.
—Mackenzie's Scotch writers, vol. III. &c &c. , .

» Melchior Adam in witis Theolog.— Frehcri Theatrum. — Fuller's Abel Redi-
virus.— Moreri.— Vossios <te SctaiL Mathemau— Blount's Centura.— $axfi
Ottomans*

BOOK. "" Stif

. BUCK (Samuel) was an ingenious English engraver,
who, agisted by his brother Nathaniel, drew and engraved
a large number of plates of various sizes, consisting of
views of churches, monasteries, abbies, castles, and other
ruins.' They executed also views of the principal cities

. and tojrns in England and Wales, and among them a very
large one of the cities of London and Westminster. They
are all done in the same style, the back-grounds being
slightly etched, and the buildings finished with the graver*
in a stiff manner. Their drawings, especially those of the
ruins, &c. appear to have been too hastily made, and are
frequently inaccurate ; but, in many instances, they are
the only views we have of the places represented ; and in
lome, the only views we can have, as several of the ruins
engraved by them, have since that time been totally de-
stroyed. Their prints amount in the whole to about 500,:
and still bear a great price. Samuel Buck died at hid
apartments in the Temple, in the eighty-fifth year of hi*
age, August Y779. A few months before his death a libe-
ral subscription was raised for his support. His brother
bad been dead many years before.1
. ■ BUCKERIDGE (John), an eminent English prelate,
jpras the son of William Buckeridge, by Elizabeth his wife,
daughter of Thomas Keblewhy te of Basilden in Berks, son
of John Keblewhy te, unde to sir Thomas White, founder
of St. John's college, Oxford. He was educated in Mer-
chant Taylors9 school, and thence sent to St. John's col-
lege, O&on, in 1578, where he was chosen fellow, and pro-
ceeded, through other degrees, to D. D. in the latter end
of 1596. After leaving the university, he became chap-
lain to Robert earl of Essex, and was rector of North Fam-
bridge in Essex^and of North Kilworth in Leicestershire, and

'was afterwards one of archbishop Whitgift's chaplains, and
B»de prebendary of Hereford, and of Rochester. In 1604,
he was preferred to the archdeaconry of Northampton ;
$nd the same year, Nov. 5, was presented by king James
to the vicarage of St. Giles's, * Cripplegate, in which he
succeeded Dr. Andrews, then made bishop of Chichester.
About the same time he was. chaplain to the king; was
elected president of St. John's college, 1605, and installed

canon of Windsor, April 15,. 1606. His eminent abilities
in the pulpit were greatly esteemed at court ; insomuch

l Strutt.-^Qcnt Mag. 1770, p. S7, 424,— Nichols'* Bowyer.

- v ■ ' ~ •

% SS BUCKERIDGE,

that he was chosen to be cine of the four (Dr. Andrews,
bishop of Chichester, Dr. Barlow of Rochester, and Dr.
John King, dean of, Christ-church, Oxford, being the
other three) who were appointed to preach before the king
at Hampton-court in September 1606, in order to bring
the two Melvins and other presbyterians of Scotland to a #
right understanding of the church of England. He took
his text out of Romans xiiu 1. and managed the discourse
(as archbishop Spotswood, who was present, relates), both
soundly and learnedly, to the satisfaction of all the hearers,
only it grieved the Scotch ministers to hear the. pope and
presbytery so often equalled in their opposition to sove-
reign princes. *

In the year 16 1 1 he was promoted to the see of Roches-
ter, to which he was consecrated June 9. Afterwards, by
the interest of his sometime pupil, Dr. Laud, then bishop
of Bath and Wells, he was translated to Ely in 1628;
where, having sat a little more than three years, he died
May 23, 1631, and on the 31st was buried in the parish
church of Bromley in Kent, without any memorial, al-
though he appears to have been a very pious, learned, and
worthy bishop, and had been a benefactor to the parish.
His works are " De Potestate Pap® in rebus temporalibus,
sive in regibus deponendis usurpata : adversus Robertum
Cardinalem Bellarminum, lib. II. In quibus respondetur
authoribus, scripturis, rationibus, exemplis contra Gul. Bar-
claium allatis," Lon. 1614, 4to. He published also "A
Discourse on Kneeling at the Communion," and some oc-
casional sermons, of which a list may be seen in Wood. l

BUCKHURST. See SACKVILLE.

BUCKLAND (Ralph), a popish divine of some note,
was born at West Harptre, the seat oAjf^afc^nt family
of his name in Somersetshire, about 1564. In 1579, he
was admitted commoner in Magdalen college, Oxford, and
afterwards passed some years in one of the inns of court
•Having at last embraced the popish religion, he spent se-
ven years in Doway college, and being ordained priest,
returned to England, acted as a missionary for about twenty
years, and died in 1611. He published, 1. A translation
of the " Lives of the Saints9- from Surhis. 2. " A Per*
suasive against frequenting Protestant Churches," 12 ma

* Ath. Ox. vol. I. — Benthata's Ely.— Spotswood's Hist. p. 497, where he if
termed bishop of Recbestejc, which Eentham says he wai not untfi ISII.-**
ledge9* Illustration*, vol. III, 311.

BUCK LAND. «t

3. " Seven sparks of the enkindled flame/ with four lamen-
tations, composed in the hard times of qtie£n Elizabeth,"
12mo. From this book, archbishop 'Usher, in a sermon
preached in 1640, on Nov. 5, produced some passages
hinting at the gun* powder plot. The passages are not,
perhaps, very clearly in point, nor oan we suppose any
person privy to the design' fool enough at the same time to
give warning of it. This Buckland also; wrote " De Per-*
secutiona Vandalica," a translation from the Latin of Vic*
tor, bishop of Biserte, or Utica. l' *

BUCKLER (Benjamin), D. D. a learned and ingenious
English clergyman and antiquary, wa$ born in 1716, and
educated at Oriel college, Oxford, where he took his mas-
ter* $ degree in 1739. He. was afterwards elected a fellow
of All-Souls college, where he proceeded B. D. in 1755,
and D. D. in 1759. In 1755 he was presented to the vi-
carage of Cumner in Berkshire, by the earl of Abingdon.
He was also rector of Frilsham in the same county. He
.died and was buried at Cumner, Dec. 24, 1780, being at
that time likewise keeper of the archives in the university
of Oxford, to which office he was elected in 1777. His
talents would in . all probability .have advanced him to
higher stations, had they been less under the. influence of
those honest principles, which, although they greatly dig-
nify a character, are. not always of use on the road to pre-
ferment In truth, says the author of his epitaph*, he
preserved his integrity chaste and pure : he thought li-
berally, and spoke openly ; a mean action was his con-
tempt. He possessed not great riches, secular honours,
or court favours ; but he enjoyed blessings of a much
higher estimation, a competency, a sound mind, an honest
.heart, a good conscience, and a faith unshaken.

Dr» Buckler, who was an able- antiquary, assisted his
friend and contemporary, Mr. Justice B.lackstone, in his
researches respecting the right of fellowships, &c. in All-
Souls college, and drew up that valuable work, the " Stem-
mata Cbicheleana ; or, a genealogical account of some of
.the families derived from Thomas Chichele, of Highasi*
JFerrers, in the county of Northampton; all whose de-

. i Ath. Ox. I Dodd's Ch. Hist vol. II.

' 4

* By a strange mistake, this epitaph that Dr. Bucilcr had an opportunity of

is said (Gent. Mag. 1792, p. 224.) to contributing to the erection of his. sta*

hare been written by Mr. Justice Black- tue in All-Souls college.
stone, who had then been dead so long

/

•240 ''BUCKLER.'

scendants are held to be entitled to fellowships in AU-S011W
college, Oxford, by virtue of tbeir consanguinity to arch*
bisbop Chicheie, the founder/' Oxford, 1765, 4to. • The
college having afterwards purchased, at Mr. Anstis's sale,
many large MS volumes by him, relating to the history
and constitution of this college, and the case of founder's
kindred, Dr. Buckler published " A Supplement • to the
Stemmata," Oxford, 1775, and afterwards went on con-
tinuing it, as information offered itself, but no more has
been published. We find him also as one of the proctors,
signing his name to a pamphlet, which he probably wrote,
entitled " A reply to Dr. Huddesford's observations relat-
ing to the delegates of the press, with a narrative of the
proceedings of the proctors with regard to their nomination
of a delegate,'9 Oxford, 1756, 4to. In this it is the ob-
ject to prove, against Dr. Huddesford, that the right of
nominating such delegates is in the proctors absolutely,
and that the vice-chancellor has not a negative.

Long before this; Dr. Buckler afforded a proof of ex-
cellent humour. Mr. Pointer having in his account of the
antiquities of Oxford, a superficial, and incorrect work,
degraded the famous mallard of All-Souls into a goose,
Buckler published, but without his name, " A complete
vindication of the Mallard of All-Souls college against the
injurious suggestions of the rev. Mr. Pointer/9 Lond. 1750,
8vo, and a second edition, 1751. This produced another
exquisite piece of humour, entitled " Proposals for print-
ing by subscription, the History of the Mallardians." This
was to have been executed in three parts, the contents of
which will give tbe reader some idea of Mr. Bilson's hu-
mour, and that of Rowe Mores, who assisted him in drawing
up the proposals, and bore the expence of some engravings
which' accompany it. u Part I. Of the origin of the Mai*
lardians. Of the foundation of the house of Mallardians.
The intent of that foundation, and how far it has been
answered. Of the affinity between the Mallardians and
the order of the Thelemites. Of the library of the Mal-
lardians ; and of the cat that was starved to death in' iC
Part II. Of the manners of the Mallardians* Of their co-
messations, <:ompotations, ingurgitations, and other enor-
mities, from their first settlement till their visitation by
archbishop Cranmer. Part III. The subject of the second
part co • tin ued fiom the death of archbishop Cranmer to
the dissolution of Bradgate-Hall, alia* les Tunnys, {ire.

BUCKLER. S41

♦the Three Tuns Tavern). To the whole will be added, *
full account of the annual festival of the Mai lard ians. Of
the adventures common at this festival. Of the presidents,
or lords of this festival, with their characters drawn at
length. Of the Swopping-Song of the Mai lard ians, with
annotations on the same. Of the progress of the Mallar-
dians to Long Crendon, and of their demeanour to Da-
inosels. And, lastly, a true history of their doughty cham-
pion Pentrapolin a Calamo, usually styled by way of emi-
nence, The Buckler of the Mallardians." — Dr. Buckler
published also two occasional sermons in 1759. *

BUCQUET (John Baptist Michel), an eminent French
physician, censor royal, doctor-regent and professor of
chemistry in the faculty of medicine at Paris, an adjunct
of t^he academy of sciences, arid an ordinary associate of
the^ royal medical society, was born at Paris, Feb. 18, 1746.
His father intended him for the bar, but his inclination
soon led him to relinquish that profession for the study of
the various sciences connected with medicine, in all which
he made great proficiency, and gave lectures on mine-
ralogy end chemistry. His plan and familiar mode of
teaching soon procured him numerous pupils, and connect-
ing himself with Lavoisier and other eminent chemists, he
instituted a variety of experiments which, while they pro-
cured him the notice and honours of his profession, much
impaired his health, and at a very early age, he was so de-
bilitated in body and mind, as to require the use of stimu-
lants to excite a momentary vigour ; he is even said to
have taken one hundred grains of opium in a day. By
these means he was enabled to protract his existence until
Jan. 24, 1780, when he died completely exhausted, al-
though only in his thirty-fourth year. Except his papers
in the literary journals, we know of only one publication
of Bucquet's, " Introduction a Petude des corps naturels,
tir6s du regne vegetal," 1773, 2 vols. 12 mo. This was
intended for the use ofhis pupils. a

BUDDEUS (John Francis), a celebrated Lutheran di-
vine, was born June 25, 1667, at Anclam, a town in Po-
meKinia, where his father was a clergyman,, who bestowed
great pains on his education, with a view to the same pro-
fession. Before he went to the uniyersity, he was taught

' • *

1 Gough's Topography, vol. IL— Gent. Mag. 1792, p. 224, &c— Nicholas
Bowyer. « ., ' •

* Eloges des Academiciens, vol'. II. 1799.— -Diet. Hist.

Vol. VII. ft

242 BUDDEUS.

Greek and Latin, Hebrew, Chaldaic, and Syriac, and bad
veral times read the scriptures in their original tongues. In
1685, at the age of eighteen, he was sent to Wittemberg,
where he studied history, oriental learning, and the canon
law, under the ablest professors, and with a success pro-
portioned to the stock of knowledge he had previously ac-
cumulated. In 1687 he received the degree of M, A. and
printed on that occasion his thesis on the symbols of the
Eucharist. In 1689 he was assistant professor of philo-
sophy ; and some time after, having removed to Jena, gave
lessons to the students there with the approbation and es-
teem of the professors. In 1692 he was invited to Co-
bourg, as professor of Greek and Latin. In 1693, when
Frederick, elector of Brandenburgh, afterwards king of
Prussia, founded the university of Halle, Buddeus was
appointed professor of moral and political philosophy, and ,
after filling that office for about twelve years, he was re-
called to Jena in 1705, to be professor of theology. The
king of Prussia parted with him very reluctantly on this
occasion, but Buddeus conceived his new office so much
better calculated for his talents and inclination, that he
retained it for the remainder of his life, refusing many
advantageous offers in other universities ; and the dukes of
Saxony of the Ernestine branch, to whom the university
of Jena belongs, looking upon Buddeus as its greatest or-
nament, procured him every comfort, and bestowed their
confidence on him in the case of various important affairs.
in 171*4, he was made ecclesiastical counsellor to the duke
of Hildburghausen ; and afterwards was appointed inspec-
tor of the students of Gotha and Altenburgh ; assessor of
the Concilium cretins, which had the care of the university
of Jena ; and he was several times pro-rector, the dukes
of Saxony always reserving to themselves the rectorate of
tiiat university. Under his care the university flourished
in an uncommon degree, and being an enemy to the scho-
lastic mode of teaching, he introduced that more rational
and philosophical system which leads to useful knowledge.
Amidst all these employments, he was a frequent and po-
pular preacher, carried on an extensive correspondence
with the learned men of his time, and yet found leisure for
the composition of his numerous works. He died Nov. 19,
J 729. A very long list of his works is given in our autho-
rity ; the principal are : 1. u Elementa Philosophise prac- r
ticse, instrtimenuUs et theoretic*," 2 vok. &vq. 2, "In-

B U D D B U S. 24*

ttttutiones Theologiae M oralis," 1711, 4to, often reprinted.
3. " Historia Ecclesiastica Veteris «Testamenti," 1715,
1718, 2 vols, 4to. 4. " Institutiones Theologicae, Dog-*
maticae, variis observation ib as illustratse," 1723, 3 vols. 4to.
5. " Miscellanea Sacra," 1727, 3 vols. 4to. 6. u The
Great German Histbrical Dictionary," 2 vols, folio, and
often reprinted, was principally drawn up by our author,
and published with his name. l

BUDEUS, or BUDE' (William), an eminent scholar
and critic, the descendant of an ancient and illustrious
family in France, lord of Marli-ia-ville, king's counsellor,
and master of requests, was born at Paris in 1467. He
was the second son of John Bude, lord of Vere and Villiers,
secretary to the king, and one of the grand officers of the
French chancery. In his infancy he was provided with
masters ; but such was the low state of Parisian education
at that time, that when sent to the university of Orleans to
study law, he remained there for three years, without
making any progress, for want of a proper knowledge of
the Latin language. Accordingly, on his return home, his
parents had the mortification to discover that he was as
ignorant as when he went, disgusted with study of any
kind, and obstinately bent to pass his time amidst the
gaieties and pleasures of youth, a course which his fortune
enabled him to pursue. But after he had indulged this
humour for sorne time, an ardent passion for study seized
him, and became irresistible. He immediately disposed
of his horses, dogs, &c. with which he followed the chace,
applied himself to study, and in a short time made very
considerable progress, although he had no masters, nor
either instruction or example in his new pursuit. He be-
came, in particular, an excellent Latin scholar, and although
his style is not so pure or polished as that of those who
formed themselves in early life on the best models, it is
far from being deficient in fluency or elegance. His know-
ledge of the Greek was so great that John de Lascaris, the
most learned Grecian of his time, declared that Budd might
be compared with the 6rst orators of ancient Athens. This
language is perhaps complimentary, but it cannot be de-
nied that his knowledge of Greek was very extraordinary,
considering how little help he derived from, instructions..
He, indeed, employed at a large salary, one Hermonymus,

1 Bibliotheqve Germanique, vol. XXII.— Chaufepie Diet.— Saxji Ononis*.

R 2

244 B U D E U S.

but soon found that be was very superficial, and had ac-
quired the reputation of a Greek scholar merely from
knowing a little mcfre than the French literati, who at that
time knew nothing. Hence Bud£ used to call himself oi/to-
IJLO&vn & o^tfiaSvis, i. c. self-taught and late taught. The work
by which he gained most reputation, and published under
the title u De Asse," was one of the first efforts to clear up
the difficulties relating to the coins and measures of the
ancients; and although an Italian, Leonardus Portius, pre-
tended to claim tome of his discoveries, Bud6 vindicated
his right to them with spirit and success. Previously tp
this he had printed a translation of some pieces of Plutarch,
and " Notes upon the Pandects." His fame having
reached the court, he was invited to it, but was at first
rather reluctant. He appears to have been oneNof those
who foresaw the advantages of a diffusion of learning, and
at the same time perceived an unwillingness in the court
to entertain it, lest it should administer to the introduction
of what was called heresy. Charles VIII. was the first
who invited him to court, but died soon after : his suc-
cessor Louis Xlf. employed him twice on embassies to
Italy, and made him his secretary. This favour continued
in the reign of Francis I. who sent for Bude to %cotirt when
it was held at Ardres at the interview of that monarch with
Henry VIII. the king of England. From this time Francis
paid him much attention, appointed him his librarian, and
master of the requests, while the Parisians elected him
provost of the merchants. This political influence he em-
ployed in promoting the interests of literature, and sug-
gested to Francis I. the design of establishing professor-
ships for languages and the sciences at Paris. The ex-
cessive heats of the year 1540 obliging the king to take a
journey to the coast of Normandy, Bud£ accompanied his
majesty, but unfortunately was seized with a fever, which
carried him off Aug. 23, 1540, at Paris. His funeral was
private, and at night, by his own desire. This circum-
stance created a suspicion that he died in the reformed re-
ligion ; but of this there is no direct proof, and although
he occasionally made free with the court of Rome and the
corruptions of the clergy in his works, yet in them like-
wise he wrote with equal asperity of the reformers. Eras-
mus called him portentum Gallite, the prodigy of France.
There was a close connection between these two great
men. " Their letters," says the late Dr, Jortin, " though

BUDEUS. 245

full of compliments and civilities, are also full of little
bickerings and contests : which shew that their friendship
was not entirely free from some small degree qf jealousy
and envy; especially on the side of Bud£, who yet in '
other respects was an excellent person/' It is not easy
to determine on which side the jealousy lay ; perhaps it
was on both. Bud6 might envy Erasmus for his superior
taste and wit, as well as his more extensive learning; and *
perhaps Erasmus might envy Bud6 for a superior know-
ledge of the Greek tongue, which' was generally ascribed
to him.

Bud£ was a student of incessant application, and when
we consider him as beginning his studies late, and being
afterwards involved in public business, and the cares of a
numerous family, it becomes astonishing that he found
leisure for the works he gave to the public. He appears
in general to haye been taken with the utmost reluctance
from his studies. He even complains in the preface to his
book " De Asse," that he had not more than six hours
study on his wedding-day. He married, however, a lady
who assisted him in his library, reaching him what books
he requested, and looking out particular passages which he
might warft. In one of his letters he represents himself as
married to two wives, by one of whom he had sons and
daughters ; and by the other named Philologia, he had
books, which contributed to the maintenance of his natu-
ral issue. In another he remarks that, for the first twelve
years of his marriage, he had produced more children than %
books, but hopes soon to bring his publications on a par
with his children. It is of him a story is told, which, if
we mistake not, has been applied to another : One day a
servant entered his study, in a great fright, and exclaimed
that the house was on fire. BudI said calmly, " Why don't
you inform your mistress ? you know 1 never concern my-
self about the house !" — What affords some probability
that Bud6 had imbibed the sentiments of the reformers in
his latter days, is the circumstance of his widow retiring to
Geneva, with some of her family, and making an open
profession of the , protestant religion. It appears by the
collections in Baillet, Blount, and Jortin in his " Life of
Erasmus," that the eulogies which Bud6 received from the
learned men of his time are exceedingly numerous. His
works were printed at Basil in 1557, 4 vols, folio. The
, most important of them is his " Commentarii Gracse Lin-

ue B U D E U S.

guse," which is still highly valued by Greek scholars.
The best edition is that of Basil, 1556, fol. 1

BUDDEN (John), a civilian of Oxford, the son of John
Budden of Canford, in Dorsetshire, was born in that
county in 1566, and entered Merton college in 1582, but
was admitted scholar of Trinity college in May of the fol-
lowing year, where he took his bachelor's degree. He
was soon after removed to Gloucester hall, wbere he took
• his master's degree, but chiefly studied civil law. He was
at length made philosophy reader of Magdalen college,
and took his bachelor and doctor's degrees in civil law in
1602. In 1609 he was made principal of New-inn, and
soon after king's professor of civil law, and principal of
Broadgate's hall, where he died June 11, 1620, and was
buried in the chancel of St Aldate's church. Wood says
he was a person of great eloquence, an excellent rheto-
rician, philosopher, and civilian. He wrote the lives of
" William of Wainflete," founder of Magdalen college, in
Latin, Oxon, 1602, 4to, reprinted in "Batesii Vitas;" and
of " Archbishop Morton," London, 1607, 8vo. He also
made the Latin translation of sir Thomas Bodley's statutes
for his library ; and sir Thomas Smith's " Common Wealth
of England;" and from the French of P. Frodius, a civilian,
" A Discourse for Parents' Honour and Authority over their
Children," Lond. 1614, 8vo.8

BUDGELL (Ectstace), esq. a very ingenious but un-
fortunate writer, was born at St. Thomas, near Exeter,
about 1685, and educated at Christ-church, Oxford. His
'father, Gilbert Budgell, D. D. descended of an ancient
family in Devonshire ; his mother, Mary, was only
daughter of Dr. William Gulston, bishop of Bristol, whose
sister Jane married dean Addison, and was mother to the
famous Addison. After some years stay in the university,
Mr. Budgell went to London, and was entered of the In-
ner Temple, in order to study law, for which his father
always intended him ; but his inclinations led him more to
study polite literature, and keep company with the gen-
teelest persons in town. During his stay at the Temple,
he contracted a strict intimacy and friendship with Ad-
dison, who was first cousin to his mother ; and when Addi-
son was appointed secretary to lord Wharton, lord-lieu-

l Gen. Diet.— Moreri. — Vita per Lud. Regium Codstantioum, Paris, 1542,
■ 4to, and in JUtesii Vitie.— Jortin's Erasmus.— Bafllet Jugemeos de Savans,—
gaxi't Onomast. * Wood'r Ath, vol. L

BUDGELL 247

tenant of Ireland, he offered to make his friend Eus-
tace one of the clerks of his office, which Mr. Budgell
readily accepted. This was in April 1710, when he was
about twenty-five years of age. He had by this time read
the classics, the most reputed historians, and the best
French, English, and Italian writers, and became con-
cerned with Steele and Addison, not in writing the Tatler,
as has been asserted, but the Spectator, which was begun
in. ITU. All the papers marked with an X were written*
by him, and the whole eighth volume is attributed to Ad-
dison and himself, without the assistance of Steele. Se-
veral little epigrams and songs, which have a good deal of
wit in them, together with the epilogue to the " Distressed
Mother," which had a greater run than any thing of the
kind before, were also written by Mr. Budgell near this
time ; all which, together with the known affection of Ad-
dison for him, raised his character so much as to give him
considerable consequence in the literary and political
world. Upon the laying down of the Spectator, the
Guardian was set up ; and to this wort our author contri-
buted, along with Addison and Steele. In the preface it
is said, that those papers marked with an asterisk were
written by Mr. Budgell.

Having regularly made his progress in the secretary of
state's office in Ireland, upon the arrival of George I. in
England, he was appointed under secretary to Addison,
and chief secretary to the lords justices of Ireland. He
was made likewise deputy-clerk of the council in that
kingdom; and soon after chosen member of the Irish*
parliament, where he acquitted himself as a very good
speaker, and performed all his official duties with great
exactness and ability, and with very singular disinterest-
edness. In 1717, when Addison became principal secre-
tary of state in England, he procured for Mr. Budgell the
place of accomptant and comptroller-general of the revenue
in Ireland, and might have had him for bis under-secre-
tary ; but it was thought more expedient for his majesty's
service that he should continue where he was. He held
these several places till 1718, at which time the duke of
Bolton was appointed lord-lieutenant His grace carried
over with him one Mr. Edward Webster, whom he made a
privy-counsellor and his secretary. A misunderstanding
arising on some account or other, between this gentleman
and Mr. Budgell, the latter treated Mr. Webster himself,

248 BUDGELL

his education, bis abilities, and his family, with the utmost
contempt. Mr. Budgell was indiscreet enough (for he
was naturally proud and full of resentment) to write a lam-
poon, prior to this, in which the lord- lieutenant was not
spared ; and which he published in spite of all Addison
could say against it. Hence many discontents arose be-
tween them, till at length, the lord-lieutenant, in support
of his secretary, superseded Mr. Budgell, and very soon
after got him removed from the place of accomp tan t- ge-
neral. Mr. Budgell, not thinking it safe to continue longei*
in Ireland, set out for England, and soon after his arrival
published a pamphlet representing his case, entitled " A
Letter to the lord ***, from Eustace Budgell, esq. ao
compt ant- genial of Ireland, and late secretary to their
excellencies tne lords justices of that kingdom;" eleven
hundred copies of which were sold ,off in one day, either
from curiosity, or sympathy with his sufferings, which
seem about this time to have affected his reason. In the
Postboy of Jan. 17, 1719, he published an advertisement
to justify his character against reports which had been
spread to bis disadvantage ; and he did not scruple to de-
clare in all companies, that his life was attempted by his
enemies, which deterred him from attending his seat in
parliament. Such behaviour made many of his friends
conclude him delirious; his passions were certainly very
strong, nor were his vanity and jealousy less predominant.
Addison, who had resigned the seals, and was retired into
the country for the sake of his health, found it impossible
to stem the tide of opposition, which was every where
running against his kinsman, through the influence and
power of the duke of Bolton ; and therefore dissuaded him
in the strongest terms from publishing his case, but to no
manner of purpose : which made him tell a friend in great
anxiety, that " Mr. Budgell was wiser than any man he
ever knew, and yet he supposed the world would hardly
believe that he acted contrary to his advice."

Mr. Budgell's great and noble friend lord Halifax, to
whom in 1713 he had dedicated a translation of " Theo-
phrastus's. Characters," was dead, and lord Orrery, who
held him in the highest esteem, had it not in bis power to
serve him. Addison had indeed got a, promise from lord
Sunderland, that, as soon as the present clamour was a
little abated, he would do something for him ; but that
gentleman's death, happening in 1719, put an end to all
hopes of succeeding at court : where he continued, never-

B U D G E L L. 249

m theless, to make several attempts, but was constantly kept
down by the weight of tbe duke of Bolton. One case
seems peculiarly hard. The duke of Portland, who was
appointed governor of Jamaica, made Budgell his secre-
tary, who was about to sail, when a secretary of «tate was
sent to the duke, to acquaint him " that he might take
any man in England for his secretary, excepting Mr.
Budgell, but that he must not take him.'" In 1720, the
fatal year of the South Sea, he was almost ruined, having
lost above 20,000/. in it. He tried* afterwards to get into
parliament at several places, and spent 50001. more in
unsuccessful attempts, which completed his ruin. And
from this period he began to behave and live in a different
manner from what he had done before; wrote libellous
pamphlets against sir Robert Walpole and the ministry,
and did many unjust things in regard to his relations, being
distracted in his own private fortune, as indeed he was
judged tp be in his senses. In 1727 he had 1000/. given
him by the duchess of Marlborough, to whose husband,
the famous duke, he was related by his mother's side, with
a view to his getting into parliament. She ,knew that he
had a talent for speaking in public, that he was acquainted
with business, and would probably run any lengths against
the ministry. But this scheme failed, for he could never
get chosen. In 1730 he joined the band of writers against
the administration, and published many papers in the
" Craftsman." He published also, about the same time,
many other pieces of a political nature. In 1733, he be-
gan a weekly pamphlet called " The Bee," which he con-
tinued for about a hundred numbers, making seven or
eight volumes, 8vo. During the progress of this work,
which was entirely filled with his own disputes and con-
cerns, and exhibited many proofs of a mind deranged by
oppression, or debased by desperate efforts to retrieve his
character, Dr. Tindal died, by whose will Mr. Budgell
had 2000/. left him ; and the world being surprised at such,
a gift from a man entirely unrelated to him, to the ex^
elusion of the next heir, a nephew, and the continuator
of Rapin's History of England, immediately imputed it
to his making the will himself. Thus the satirist :

" Let Budgell charge low Grub-street on my quill,

And write whate'er he please — except my Will." Pope.

It was thought he had some hand' in publishing Dr.
Tindal' s " Christianity as old as the Creation," for he often

J50 B U D G £ I L,

talked of another additional volume on the same subject,
but never published it. However, he used to inquire very
frequently after Dr. Conybeare's health, who had been
employed by queen Anne to answer the first volume, and
rewarded with the deanery of Christ-church for his pains ;
saying, " he hoped Mr. Dean would live a little longer,
that he might have the pleasure of making him a bishop ;
for he intended very soon to publish the other volume of
Tindal, which would certainly do the business."

After the cessation of " The Bee," he became so in-
volved in law-suits, that he was reduced to a very unhappy
situation. He now returned to his original destination of
the bar, and attended for some time in the courts of law ;
% but finding himself incapable of making any progress, and
being distressed to the utmost, he determined at length
on suicide. Accordingly, in 1736, he took a boat at So-
merset stairs, after filling bis pockets with stones, and
ordered the waterman to shoot the bridge ; and, while the
boat was going under, threw himself into the river, where
he perished immediately. Several days before, he had
been visibly distracted in his mind, but no care was taken
of him. He was never married, but left one natural
daughter behind him, who afterwards took his name, and
was some time an actress at Drury-lane. The morning
before he committed this act upon himself, he endeavoured
to persuade this lady, who was then only eleven years old,
to accompany him, which she very wisely refused. Upon
his bureau was found a slip of paper, on which were writ-
ten these words :

« What Cato did, and Addison apprcVd,
Cannot be wrong."

which, however, as far as respects Addison's approval,
was a mere delusion of his own brain.

Mr. Budgell, as a writer, is very agreeable ; not argu-
mentative, or deep, but ingenious and entertaining ; and
his style was thought peculiarly elegant, and almost
ranked with Addison's, and it is certainly superior to that
of most English writers* Besides what are above men-
tioned, be published : " Memoirs of the Lives and Cba-'
racters of the family of the Boyles," 1737, 8vo, thijrd
edition, a work of unquestionable authority, in most of the
facts. Except this and his papers in the Spectator, none
•f his works are now in request ; but his life is interesting

B U D G E L Li 251

and instructive. His wayward temper ; indulgence of pas-
sion and spleen ; irregular ambition ; and bis connection
with Tindal, which ended in a dereliction of moral and
religions principle, sufficiently explain the causes of his
unbappiness, and afford an important lesson. 1

BUFFALMACCO (Buonamioo), an eminent Italian
painter, was born at Florence in 1262, and was for some
years a disciple of Andrea Tassi. He was pleasant in bis
conversation, and somewhat ingenious in his compositions.
A friend, whose name was Bruno, consulting him one day
how he might give more expression to his subject, Buffal-
macco answered, that he had nothing to do, but to make
the words come out of the mouths of his figures by labels,
on which they might be written, which had been before
practised by Cimabue. Bruno, thinking him in earnest,
did so, as several CTerman painters did after him ; who, im-
proving upon Bruno, added answers to questions, and
made their figures enter into a kind of conversation. Buf-
falmacco died in 1340. *

BUFFIER (Claude), a learned metaphysician, and vo-
luminous writer, was born in Poland, of French parents,
May 25, 1661. His parents having removed to Rouen, he
was educated there, and afterwards entered among the Je-
suits at Paris in 1679, and took the four vows in 1695.
In 1698 he went to Rome, not at the invitation of the ge-
neral of his order, as has been asserted, but merely to see
that celebrated city, in which he remained about four
months, and then returned to Paris, where he passed the

freater part of his life in the Jesuits college. Here he was
rst employed on the " Memoires de Trevoux," and after-
wards wrote his nuiherous separate publications. He died
JVlay .17, 1737. His eloge appeared in the " Memoires0
in the same year, but principally regards his writings, as
his life appears to have passed without any striking or cha-
racteristic circumstances, being entirely devoted to the
composition of works of learning or piety, of which the
following is supposed to be a correct list : 1. Some French
verses on the taking of Mons and Montmelian, inserted in
the " Recueil de vers choisis," Paris, 170 1, 12mo. 2. " La
vie de FHermite de Compiegne," Paris, 1692, 1737, 12 mo.
3. " Vie de Dominique George," abbot of Valricher, Paris,
1696, 12mo. 4. " Pratique de la memoire artificieUe

* Biog. Brit.— Gibber's LiYei, vol. V.— British Essayists, vol VI. Pret t*
the Spectator. f PUking fcm.

252 BUFFIER.

pour apprendre et pour retenir la chronologie, Phistoire
universelle, &c." Paris, 1701, 3 vols, and often reprinted
and extended to 4 vols. 5. u Veritas consolantes du Chris-
tianisme," ibid. 1718, 2d edit. 16mo. 6. " Histoire de
Porigine du royaume de Sicile et de JNaples," ibid. 1701,
12 mo. 7. " La pratique desdevoirs des cure's," from the
Italian, Lyons, 1702, 12mo. 8. " Abr6g6 de Phistoire
d'Espagne," Paris, 1704, 12mo. 9. " Examen de pre-
jug£s vulgaires pour disposer P esprit a juger sainement
de tout," ibid. 1704, l2u*o. 10. " Les Abeilles," a fable.
1 L " Le degat du Parnasse, ou La Fausse Utterature," a
poem, ibid. 1705. 12. " La vie du comte Louis de Sales,"
ibid. 1708, 12mo, afterwards translated into Italian, and
often reprinted. 1 3. " Grammaire Francoise sur un plan
nouveau," ibid. 1709, 12 mo, often reprinted. 14. " Le
veritable esprit et le saint emploi des fetes de Peglise,"
ibid. 1712, 12mo. 15. " Les principes du raisonnement
exposes en deux logiques nouvelles, avee des remarques
sur les logiques," &c. ibid. 1714, 12mo. 16. ** Geogra-
phic universelle avec le secours des vers artificiels et avec
des cartes," ibid. 1715, 2 vols* 12mo. 17. " Homere en
arbitrage," ibid. 1715; two letters addressed to the mar-
chioness Lambert, on tbe dispute between madame Dacier
and de la Motte, on Homer. 18. " Hist, chronologique du
dernier siecle, &c." from the year 1600, ibid. 1715, 12 mo.
1^. " Introduction a Phistoire de maisons souveraines de
PEurope," Paris, 1717, 3 vols. 12mo. 20. " Exercice de la:
pict6," &c ib. 1718, often reprinted. 21. " Tableau chro-
nologique de Phistoire uo i verse! le en forme de jeu," Paris,
1718. 22. " Nouveaux elemens cPhistoire et de geogra-
phic," Paris, 1718. 23: " Sen ti mens Chretien sur les
principales Veritas de la religion," in prose and verse, and
with engravings, 1718, 12 mo. 24. " Trait£ des pre-
mieres verites," Paris, 1724, 12 mo. A translation of this,
one of father Buffer's most celebrated works, was pub-
lished in 1781, under the title of " First Truths, and tbe
origin of our opinions explained ; with an inquiry into the
sentiments of moral philosophers, relative to our primary
notions of things," 8vo. The author has proved himself
to be a metaphysician of considerable abilities, and with
many it will be no diminution of his merit, that he starts
some principles here, which were afterwards adopted and
expanded by Drs. Reid, Oswald, and Beattie, under the
denomination of common sense. To prove how much

B U F F I E R. 25$

these gentlemen have been indebted to him, appears to be
the sole object of this translation, and especially of the
preface, which, says one of the literary Journals, " though
it is not destitute of shrewdness, yet is so grossly illiberal,
that we remember not -to have read any thing so offensive
to decency and good manners, even in the rancorous pro-
ductions of some of the late controvertists in metaphysics*
The writer hath exceeded Dr. Priestley in the abuse of the
Scotch doctors ; but with a larger quantity of that author's
virulence, hath unluckily too small a portion of his inge-
nuity and good sense, to recompense for that shameful af-
front to candour and civility which is too flagrant in every
page, to escape the notice or indignation of any unpreju-
diced reader."

Father Buffier's next work, which may be considered as
a supplement to tfye former was, 25% " Elemens de Meta-
physique a la portee de tout le monde," ibid. 1725, 12 mo.
26. " Traits de la society civile," ibid. 1726. 27. "Trails
philosophiques et pratiques d'eloquence et de poesie,"
ibid. 1728, % vols. 12 mo. 28. "Exposition des preuves
les plus seusibles de la veritable religion," ibid. 1732,
12mo. Besides these he contributed some papers on phi-
lological subjects to the u Memoires de Trevoux." The
greater and best part of the preceding works were collected
and published in a folio volume in 1732, under the title,
" Cours des Sciences sur des principes nouveaux et sim-
ples, &c." with additions and corrections, the whole form-
ing an useful and perspicuous introduction to the sciences.
Buffier was not only one of the ablest and most industrious
writers of his time, but one of the safest ; and his having
made no progress in infidelity, while he professed to be a
metaphysician, seems to be the principal objection which
succeeding French philosophers brought against him. l

BUFFON (George Louis Le Cleuc, Count of) the
most eminent French naturalist of the eighteenth century,
the son of a counsellor of the parliament of Dijon, was
born at Montbard in Burgundy, September the 7th, 1707.
Having manifested an early inclination to the sciences, he
gave up the profession of the law, for which his father had
designed him. The science which seems to have engaged
his earliest attachment was astronomy ; with a view to
which he applied with such ardour to the study of geome-

1 Moreri.— -Diet. Hist— Monthly Review, vol. LXIII,

i$* B U FFON.

try, that he always carried in his pocket .the elements of
Euclid. At the age of twenty he travelled into Italy, and
in the course of his tour he directed his attention to the
phenomena of nature more than to the productions of art :
and at this early period he was also ambitious of acquiring
the art of writing with ease and elegance. In 1728 he
succeeded to the estate of bis mother. « estimated at about
12,000/. a year; which by rendering his circumstances af-
fluent and independent, enabled him to indulge his taste .
in those scientific researches and literary pursuits, to which
his future life was devoted. Having concluded his travels,
at the age of twenty-five, with a journey to England, he
afterwards resided partly at Paris, where, in 1739, he was
appointed superintendant of the royal garden and cabinet,
and partly oik his estate at Montbard. Although he was-
fond of society, and a complete sensualist, he was indefa-
tigable in his application, and is said to have employed
fourteen hours every day in study ; he would sometimes
return from the suppers at Paris at two in the morning,
when he was young, and order a boy to call him at five ;
and if he lingered in bed, to drag him out on the floor.
At this early hour it was his custom, at Montbard, to dress,
powder, dictate letters, and regulate his domestic concerns.
At six he retired to his stujly, which was a pavilion called
the Tower of St. Louis, about a furlong from the house, at
the extremity of the garden, and which was accommodated
only with an ordinary wooden desk and an armed chair.
Within this was another sanctuary, denominated by prince
Henry of Prussia u the Cradle of Natural History," in
which he was accustomed to compose, and into which
no one was suffered to intrude. At nine his breakfast,
which consisted of two glasses of wine and a bit of bread,
was brought to his study ; and after breakfast he wrote for
about two hours, and then returned to his house. At din-
ner he indulged himself in all the gaieties and trifles which
occurred at table, and in that freedom of conversation,
which obliged the ladies, when any of character were his
guests, to withdraw. When dinner was finished, he paid
little attention either to his family or guests ; but having
slept about an hour in his room, he took a solitary walk,
and then he would either converse with his friends or sit at
h^s desk, examining papers that were submitted to his
judgment. This kind of life he passed for fifty years ; and
to one who expressed his astonishment at his great reputa-

. ^A

BUFFON. 26*

tion, be replied, €t Have not I spent fifty years at my
desk ?" At nine he retired to bed. In this course he pro-
longed his life, notwithstanding his excessive indulgences
with women, and his excruciating sufferings occasioned by
the gravel and stone, which he bore with singular fortitude
and patience, to his 8 1st year ; and retained his senses till
within a few hours of his dissolution, which happened on
the 16th of April, 1788. His body was embalmed, and
presented first at St. Medard's church, and afterwards con*
veyed to Montbard, where he had given orders in his will
to be interred in the same vault with his wife. His funeral
was attended by a great concourse of academicians, and
persous of rank, and Jiterary distinction ; and a crowd of at
least 20,000 spectators assembled in the streets through
which the hearse was to pass. When his body was opened,
57 stones were found in his bladder, some of which were as
large as a small bean : and of these 37 were crystallized in
a triangular form, weighing altogether two ounces and six
drams. All his other parts were perfectly sound ; his brain,
was found to be larger than the. ordinary size ; and it was
the opinion of the gentlemen of the faculty who examined
the body, that the operation of the lithotomy might have
. been performed without the least danger ; but to this mode
of relief M. Buffon had invincible objections. He left one
son, who fell a victim to the atrocities under Robespierre.
This son had erected a 'monument to his father in the gar-
dens of Montbard; which consisted of a simple column,
with this inscription ;

" Excels® turn humilis columna
Parenti suo filius Buffon, 1785."

The father, upon seing this monument, burst into tears,
and said to the young man, " Son, this will do you ho-
nour." iBuffon was a member of the French academy,
and perpetual treasurer of the academy of sciences. With
a view to the preservation of his tranquillity, he wisely
avoided the intrigues and parties that disgracefully occu-
pied most of the French literati in his time ; nor did he
ever reply to the 'attacks that were made upon his works.
In 1771 his estate was erected into a comt£; and thus the
decoration of rank, to which he was by no means indif-
ferent, was annexed to the superior dignity he had ac-
quired as one of the most distinguished members of the re-
public of letters.

With respect to personal character, his figure was noble

256 BUFFON,

aud manly, and bis countenance, even in advanced age, -
and notwithstanding excruciating pains, which deprived
him of sleep sometimes for sixteen successive nights, was
calm and placid, and exhibited traces of singular intelli-
gence. Vanity, however, which seemed to have been his
predominant passion, extended even to his person and to
all his exterior ornaments. He was particularly fond of
having his hair neatly dressed, and for this purpose he
employed the friseur, in old age, twice or thrice a day.
To his dress he was peculiarly attentive ; and took pleasure
in appearing on Sundays before the peasantry of Montbard
in laced clothes. At table, as already noticed, he indulged
in indelicate and licentious pleasantries, and he was fond
of hearing every gossiping tale which his attendants could
relate. In his general intercourse with females he was as
lax and unguarded as in his conversation. During the life
of his wife, he was chargeable with frequent infidelities ;
and he proceeded to the very unwarrantable extreme of
debauching young women, and even of employing means
to procure abortion. His confidence, in the latter period
of his life, was almost wholly engrossed by a mademoiselle
Blesseau, who lived with him for many years. His vanity
betrayed itself on a variety of occasions in relation to his
literary performances, which were often the subjects of
his discourse, and even of his commendation. When he
was recommending the perusal of capital works in every
department of taste and science, he added, with singular
presumption and self-confidence j. " Capital works are
► scarce; I know but five great geniuses ; — Newton, Bacon,
Leibnitz, Montesquieu, and myself P He was in the ha-
bit of reciting to those who visited him whole pages of his
compositions, for he seemed to know them almost all by
heart ; but notwithstanding his vanity, he listened to ob-
jections, entered into a discussion of them, and surren-.
dered his own opinion to that of others, when his judg-
ment was convinced. He expressed himself with rapture
concerning the pleasures accruing from study ; and be
declared his preference of the writings to the conversations
t of learned men, which almost always disappointed him ; and
therefore he voluntarily secluded himself from society with
such, and in company was fond of trifling. He maintained,
however, an extensive correspondence with persons of rank
and eminence, but his vanity was perpetually recurring,
particularly towards the end of his life, when his infidelity

BUFFO.N. 257

suggested to him that immortal renown was the most pow-
erful of death-bed consolations *.

Of his infidelity, his works afford ample evidence ; but'
in bis contempt for religion, he contrived to add hypocrisy
to impiety, attending with regularity the external obser-
vances of religion, under pretence that, as there must be a
religion for the multitude, we should -avoid giving offence.
" I have always," he said, " named the Creator; but it is
only putting, mentally in its place, the energy of nature,
which results from the two great laws of attraction and im-
pulse. When the Sorbonne plagued me, I gave all the
satisfaction which they solicited : it was a form that I de-
spised, but men are silly enough to be so satisfied. For
the same reason, when I fall dangerously ill, I shall not
hesitate to send for the sacraments. This is due to the
public religion. Those who act otherwise are madmen."
Yet, gross as this hypocrisy was as to externals, it wa*
not permitted to interfere with his personal vices. .These -
he practised to the last with a zest of unfeeling profligacy
that has, perhaps, never been exceeded ; the debauching
of female children forming his constant and his last delight.
He never fails to allude to sensual gratifications in his
wo As, and never lost sight of the object in practice. Yet
this is the man to whom one of his countrymen, Herault
de Sechelles, applied the epithets " great and good," an
encomium which has been translated in some of the English
journals without remark.

His first publication was a translation from the English
of " Hales' s Vegetable Statics," 1735, which was followed
in 1740 by a translation from the Latin of "Newton's
Fluxions.'* His " Theory of the Earth" was first published
in 1 744, whieh was included in his more celebrated work
entitled " Natural History, general and particular," which
commenced in 1749, and at its completion in 1767 ex-
tended to 15 vols. 4to, or 31 vols. 12mo; and supplements,
amounting to several more volumes, were afterwards added*
In the anatomical part the author was aided by M. D' Au- %
benton, but in all the other parts Buffon himself displays
his learning, genius, and eloquence, and indulges his fancy

* Buffon, daring tbe greater pari of de Buffon (and many were addressed
his life, was highly respected in all to him fr6m every part of the world),
Europe; and it is said, that during the they immediately forwarded them to
war 1755 — 62, whenever the captains Paris unopened, — a mark of reverence
of English privateers found in their for genius which we are happy to re-
prizes any boxes addressed to count cord.

Vol. VII. S

253 BUFFON.

in exploring and delineating the whole ceconomy of nature*
To this work, which includes only the history of quadru^
peds, he added, in 1776, a supplementary volume, con-'
taining the history of several new animals, and additions*
to most of those before described. As this, as well as his*
other works, has been so long before the public, it would
be unnecessary to enter in this place on their excellences-
or defects. All succeeding naturalists have found some-r
thing to blame and something to praise in his works, with?
respect to facts, and much indeed with regard to theory.

After th£ completion of his history of quadrupeds in
1767, Buffon was interrupted in the prepress of his labours-
by a severe and tedious indisposition ; and therefore the
two first volumes of his " History of Birds" did not appear
till 1771. In the composition of the greatest part of these
he was indebted to the labours of M. Gueneau de Mont-
beillard, who adhered so closely to Buffon' s mode of think-
ing and of expression, that the public" could not perceive
any difference. The four subsequent volumes were the
joint production of both writers : and each author prefixed
his name to his own articles. The three remaining vo-
lumes were written by Buffon himself, with the assistance
of the abbe Bexon, who formed the nomenclature, drew
up most of the descriptions, and communicated several
important hints. The work was completed in 1783, but
on account of the much greater number of species of birds
than of quadrupeds, the want of systematic arrangement
is more to be regretted in this than in the other history.
A translation of Buffon's " Natural History," by Mr.
Smellie of Edinburgh, comprised in 8 vols. 8vo, was pub-
lished in 1781 ; to which a 9th volume was added in 1786,
containing a translation of a supplementary volume o£
Buffon, consisting chiefly of curious and interesting
facts with regard to the history of the earth. The trans-
late* has omitted the anatomical dissections and mensura-
tions of M. D'Aubentop, which greatly enhanced the bulk,
as well as the price of the original, and which the author
himself had omitted in the last Paris edition of his per-
formance. There are likewise some other omissions, which
are not very important, respecting the method of studying
natural history, methodical distributions, and the mode of
describing animals. These omissions have been amply
compensated by the translator's addition of short distinctive
descriptions to each species of quadrupeds, of the figures

BUFFON, «ft

of several new animals, and of the synonyms, as Well as
the generic and specific characters given by Linnasus,
Klein, Brisson, and other naturalists, together with occa-
sional notes. Buffon's " History of Birds," in 9 vols. 8vo,
with notes and additions, translated by Mr. Leslie, was
also published in 1793.

In 1774 Buffon began to publish a " Supplement" to
his Natural History, consisting of the " History of Mine-
rals," which contains many curious and valuable experi-
ments, as well as much theory, too lax for the rigour of
modern science. The' concluding volume may be consi-
dered as a kind of philosophical romance. It comprehends
what the author fancifully denominates the " Epochas of
Nature," or those great changes in the state of the garth
which he supposes to have successively resulted from his
hypothesis of its original formation out of tjie sun. Of
these epochas he enumerates seven, of which six are sup-
posed to have been previous to the creation of man. In
the description of these epochas, as to both their causes
and effects, the author has indulged the sport of fancy,
and formed a sort of fairy tale, which he has contrived to
render amusing and instructive. His works have been col-
lected and published in 35 vols. 4 to, and 62 vols. 12 mo,
and of the whole or parts of them new editions occasionally
appear. After he had completed bis " History of Mine-
rals," he had formed a design of composing the " History
of Vegetables;" but this project was defeated by his death.
Several of the subjects that occur in his " Natural History,**
and its supplements, have been discussed in separate me-
moirs, and may be found in the Memoirs of the royal aca-
demy of sciences at Paris, for the years 1737, 1738, 1739,
1741 and 1742. 1 '

BUGENHAGIUS, or BUGENHAGEN (John), one of
the German reformers, sometimes, from his native country,
called Pomeranus, was born at Julin, or Wollin, near
Stetin, in Pomerania, June 24, 1 485, and his parents be-
ing of some rank in the state were enabled to give him a
very liberal education. He was sent early to the univer-
sity of Grypswald, where he employed his time so Assi-
duously in classical learning, that, at the age of twenty, he
taught school at Treptow, and raised that school to a very
high degree of reputation* The first impressions he ap-

1 Rees's and Brewster's Cyclopaedias.— Herault Sechelles, in Peltier's Paris
jamdantVannee 1795 and 1796,— Jiloges det Acad«raiciens, valv IV,

S 2

260 BUGENHAGIUS.

peats to- have received of the necessity of a reformation
was from a tract of Erasmus : this induced him to look
with more attention into the sacred volume, and he pro-
ceeded to instruct others by lecturing in his school on va-
rious parts of the Old and New Testament. As a preacher
he likewise became very popular, and chiefly on account
of his learning, in which he exceeded many of his contem-
poraries. His knowledge extending also to history and
antiquities, prince Bogislaus engaged him to write a " His-
tory of Pomerania," ^furnishing him with money, books*
and records,, and this was completed in two years, but it
was long unpublished, the prince reserving it in manu-
script, for the use of himself and his court. It appeared
at last in 1727, 4to. He was still, however, attached to
the religious principles in which he had been brought up,
until in 1521 Luther's treatise on the Babylonish captivity
was published. Even when he began first to read this, he
declared the author to be " the most pestilent heretic that
ever infested the church of Christ ;" but after a more at-
tentive perusal, he candidly recanted this unfavourable
opinion, in the following strong terms, " The whole
world is blind, and this man alone sees the truth." It is*
probable that be had communicated this discovery to bis
'brethren, for we find that the abbot, two aged pastors of
the church, and some other of the friars, began to be con-
vinced of the errors of popery about the same time. Bu-
genhagius now avowed the principles of the reformation so
openly, that he found it necessary to leave Treptow, and
being desirous of an interview with Luther, went to Wit-
temberg, where he was chosen pastor of the reformed
church. Here he constantly taught the doctrines of the
reformation, both by preaching and writing, for thirty-six;
years. He always opposed the violent and seditious prac-
tices of Carlostadt, and lived on the most friendly terms,
with Luther and Melancthon. At first he thought Luther
bad been too violent in his answer to Henry VIII. of Eng-
land, but he changed his opinion, and declared, that the:
author had treated that monarch with too much lenity*

His public services were not confined to Wittemberg*
In 1522, he was requested to go to Hamburgh, to draw
up for them certain doctrinal articles, the mode of church
government, &c. and he also erected a school in. the monas-
tery of St. John. In 1530. he performed the same services
for the reformed church of Lubeck. . In 1537, he was soli*

B U G E N B A <? I U S. &6j

cited by- Christian king of Denmark to assist Ms majesty id
promoting the refQrmation, and erecting schools in his domi-
nions. All this he appears to have performed on an extensive
pcale, for his biographers inform us that besides new mo-
delling the church of Denmark, and substituting superior
tendants for bishops, he appointed ministers in the king-
doms of Denmark and Norway, to the number of twenjy-
four thousand. He assisted Jikewise in 1542, in the ad-
vancement of the reformation in the dukedom of Brunswick
and other places. At length, after a life devoted to these
objects, he died April 20, 1558. He wrote a " CoHMfterf-
tary on the Psalms ;" annotations on St. Paul's Epistles ;
a harmony of the Gospels, &c. and assisted Luther in
translating the bible into German. He used to keep the
.day on which it was finished as a festival, calling it the
" Feast of the translation." His own works were princi-
pally written ia Latin. *

BULKLEY (Charles), a protestant dissenting minister,
was born in London, Oct 18, 1719. His mother was the
daughter, by a second wife, of the celebrated Matthew
Henry. He was educated first at Chester, from whence
he went to Dr. Doddridge's academy at Northampton iii
1736, and commenced preacher in the summer of 1740,
his first settlement being at Wei ford, in Northamptonshire.
He appears to have afterwards remqyed to London, but
quitted the presbyterian sect, was baptized by immersion,
and joined the general baptists. He preached likewise at
Colchester, but how long cannot be ascertained. In 1743,
he was chosen minister of a meeting in White's alley,
Moorfields. In 1745, this congregation removed to Bar-
bican, fcnd in 1780 to Worship-street, Shoreditch, wbe*e
it remained until his death April 15, 1797. Before this
event his infirmities had unfitted him for public service ;
yet at one period he must have enjoyed great popularity,
as he was chosen to succeed Dr. James Foster, in the Old
Jewry lecture. Besides several single sermons, preached
on particular occasions, he published 1. " Discourses on
several subjects," 1752. 2. "A Vindication of Lord
Shaftesbury's writings," 1753. 3. " Notes on Lord Bo-
lingbroke's Philosophical Writings," 1755, 8vo. 4. _" Ob-
servations on Natural Religion and Christianity, candidly
proposed in a Review of the Discourses lately published

1 Melchior Adam.— Freheri Tbeatrum.— Miliwr's Ch. Hist, vol. V. App. p. 8.

— Saxii Onoma&ticon,

£62 B V L K L E Y.

by the lord bishop of London,1' 1 757. 5. " CEconomy of the
Gospel/9 17<64, 4to. 6. " Discourses on the Parables and
Miracles of Christ," 1770, 4 vols. 7. " Catechetical Ex-
ercises," 1774. 8. " Preface to notes on the Bible," 1791,
and after his death, " Notes on the Bible," 3 vols. 8vo. *

BULKLEY (Peter), an English divine, was born at
Woodhill, in Bedfordshire, 1582, and educated at St.
John's college, Cambridge, where he obtained a fellowship.
He had an estate left to him by his father, whom he suc-
ceeded in the living of Woodhill. Here he remained for
twenty-one years, until he was silenced for non-conformity
by archbishop Laud. On this he converted his estate into
money, and went to New England in 1635, and carrying
with him some planters, they settled at a place which they
called Concord, and where they succeeded better than
Mr. Bulkley did, who sunk his property in improvements.
He died there March 9, 1658-9. His only publication
was entitled " The Gospel Covenant opened," 165], 4to,
which passed through several editions, and was one of the
first books published in that country. l

BULL (George), bishop of St. David's, was born
March 25, 1634, in the parish of St. Cuthbert, at Wells
in Somersetshsre. He was descended from an ancient and
genteel family, seated at Shapwick in that county. Our
prelate's father, Mr. George Bull, dedicated his son to the
church from his infancy, having declared at the font, that
he designed him for holy orders, but he died when George
was but four years old, and left him under the care of
guardians, with an estate of two hundred pounds per an-
num. When he was fit to receive the first rudiments of
learning, he was placed in a grammar-school at Wells, from
whence he was soon removed to the free-school of Tiverton,
in Devonshire, where he made a very quick progress in
classical learning, and became qualified for the university
at fourteen years of age.

He was entered a commoner of Exeter- college, in
Oxford, the 10th of July, 1648, under the tuition of Mr.
Baldwin Ackland, and though he lost much time in the
pursuit of pleasures and diversions, yet, by the help of
logic, which he mastered with little labour, and a close
way of, reasoning, which was natural to him, he soon
gained the reputation of a smart disputant, and a*

? Erant'0 Funeral Sermon, in Prot Dissenters Magazine, vol. IV.
I Weal's Hist, Qf PwiMws, and Hilt, of New England, vol, I. p. 3Q3,

BULL. 261

such was taken notice of and encouraged by his su-
periors, particularly Dr. Conant, rector of the college,
and Dr. Prideaux, bishop of Worcester, who at that time
resided in Oxford. He continued in Exeter-college till
January, 1649, at which time having refused to take the
oath to the Commonwealth of England, he retired with bit
tutor, Air. Ackland, who had set him the example, to
North- Cadbury, in Somersetshire, where he continued
under the care of that good and able man, till he was
about nineteen years of age. This retreat gave him an
opportunity of frequent converse with one of his sisters,
whose good sense, and pious admonitions, weaned him
entirely from all youthful vanities, and influenced him to
a serious prosecution of his Studies. And now, by the
advice of his friends and guardians, he put himself under
the care of Mr. William Thomas, rector of Ubley, in So*
mersetshire, a puritan divine, in whose house he boarded,
with some of his sisters, for the space of two years. To
this gentleman's principles, however, he had no lasting at-
tachment, and as he advanced in reading, he began to
study Hooker, Hammond, Taylor, Episcopius, &c. with
which his friend Mr. Samuel Thomas, the son of his bost^
supplied him, much against the old gentleman's will, who
told his son that he would " corrupt Mr. Bull." Soon
after he had left Mr. Thomas, he entertained thoughts of
entering into holy orders, and for that purpose applied
himself to Dr. Skinner, the ejected bishop of Oxford, by
whom he was ordained deacon and priest in the same day,
being at that time but twenty-one years of age, and con-
sequently under the age prescribed by the canons, with
which, however, in times of such difficulty and distress,
it was thought fit to dispense. Not long after, he accepted
the small benefice of St. George's, near Bristol, where,
by his constant preaching twice e¥ery Sunday, the method
he took in governing his parish, bis manner of performing
divine service, his exemplary life and great charities, he
entirely gained the affections of his flock, and was very
instrumental in reforming his parish, which he found over-
run with quakers and other sectarists.

A little occurrence, soon after his coming to this living,
contributed greatly to establish his reputation as a preacher.
One Sunday, when he had begun his sermon, as he was
turning over bis Bible to explain some texts of scripture
which he had quoted, his notes, which were wrote on

- 264 " BULL.

several smfcll pieces of paper, flew out of his Bible into the
jniddle of the church : many of. the congregation fell into
laughter, concluding that their young preacher would be
iion-plussed for want of materials ; but. some of the more
sober and better-natured sort, gathered up the scattered '
ijotes, and carried them to him in the pulpit, Mr. Bull
took them ; and perceiving that most of the audience,
(consisting chiefly of sea- faring persons, were rather in-
clined to triumph over him under that surprize, he clapped
them into his book again, and shut it, and then, without
referring any more to them, went on with the subject he
bad begun* Another time, while he was preaching, a
quaker came into the church, and in the middle of the
sermon, cried out " George, come down, thou art a false
prophet, and a hireling ;" whereupon the parishioners, who
loved their minister exceedingly, fell upon the poor quaker"
with such fury, as obliged Mr. Bull to come down out of
the pulpit to quiet them, and to save him from the effects
of their resentment ; after which he went up again, and
finished his sermon. The prevailing spirit of those times
fWould not admit of the public and regular use of the book
of common-prayer; but Mr. Bull formed all his public
-devotions out of the book of common prayer, and was
commended as a person who prayed by the spirit, by many
'who condemned the common-prayer as a beggarly element
and carnal performance. A particular instance of this
happened to him upon his being sent for to baptize the
.child of a dissenter in his parish. Upon this occasion, he
tnade use of the office of baptism as prescribed by the
church of England, which he had got entirely by heart,
and which he went through with so much readiness, gra-
vity, and devotion, that the whole company were ex-
tremely affected. After the ceremony, the father of the
child returned him a great many thanks, intimating at the
same time, with how much greater edification those
prayed, who entirely depended upon the spirit of God for
his assistance in their extempore effusions, than they did
who tied themselves up to premeditated forms ; and that,
if he had not made the sign of the cross, the badge of
,popery, as he called it, nobody could have formed the
least objection to his excellent prayers. Upon which Mr.
Bull shewed him the office of baptism in the liturgy,
wherein was contained every prayer he had used on that
occasion ; which, with other arguments offered by Mr.
Bull in favour of the cotnmon prayer, wrought so effec-

BULL 265

iuaUy upon the good old man, and his whole family, that
from that time they became constant attendants <m the
public service of the church.

Whilst he remained minister of this parish, the provi-
dence of God wonderfully interposed for the preservation
of his life ; for his lodgings being near a powder-mill, Mr.
Morgan, a gentleman of the parish, represented to him
the danger of his situation, and at the same time invited
him to his own house. Mr. Bull, at first, modestly de-
clined the offer, but after some importunity accepted it ;
and, not many days after his removal to Mr. Morgan's, the
mill was blown up, ancf his apartment with it. In this part
of his life he took a journey once a year to Oxford, where
he stayed about two months, to enjoy the benefit of the
public libraries. In his way to and from Oxford, he always
paid a visit to sir William Masters, of Cirencester, by
which means he contracted an intimacy with Mr. Alex-
ander Gregory, the minister of the place, and after some
time married Bridget, one of his daughters, on the 20th
of May, 1658. The same year he was presented by the
lady Pool, to the rectory of Suddington St. Mary, near
Cirencester, in Gloucestershire. The next year, 1659,
he was made privy to ,the design of a general insurrec-
tion in favour of king Charles II. and several gentlemen
of that neighbourhood who were in . the secret, chose
his bouse at Suddington for one of the places of their
meeting. Upon the restoration, Mr. Bull frequently
preached for his father-in-law, Mr. Gregory, at Ci-
rencester, where there was a large and populous con-
gregation; vand his sermons gave such general satisfaction,
that, upon a vacancy, the people were .very solicitous to
have procured for him the presentation ; but the largeness
of the parish, and the great duty attending it, deterred
him from consenting to the endeavours they were making
for that purpose. In 1662, he was presented by the lord
high-chancellor, the earl of Clarendon, to the vicarage of
Suddington St. Peter, which lay contiguous to Suddington
St. Mary, at the request of his diocesan Dr. Nicholson,
bishop of Gloucester, both livings not exceeding 100/. a
year. When Mr, Bull came first to the rectory of Sud-
dington, he began to be more open in the use of the li-
turgy of the church of England, though it was not yet
restored by the return of the king ; for, being desired to
marry a couple, he performed the ceremony, on a Sunday
morning, in the face of the whole congregation, according

266

B U LL

to the form prescribed by the book of common -prayer.
He took the same method in governing these parishes, as
in that of St. George's, and with the same success ; ap-
plying himself with great diligence to the discharge of his
pastoral functions, and setting the people an admirable
example in the government and oeconomy of his own
family *. During his residence here, he had an opportu-
nity of confirming two ladies of quality in the protestant
communion, who were reduced to a wavering state of mind
by the arts and subtleties of the Romish missionaries. The
only dissenters he had in his parish were quakers ; whose
extravagances often gave him no small uneasiness. In
this part of bis life, Mr. Bull prosecuted his studies with
great application, and composed most of his works during
the twenty-seven years that he was rector of Suddington.
Several tracts, indeed, which cost him much pains, are en-
tirely lost, through his own neglect in preserving them ;
particularly a treatise on the posture used by the ancient
Christians in receiving the Eucharist; a letter to Dr. Pear-
son concerning the genuineness of St. Ignatius's epistles; a
long one to Mr. Glanvil, formerly minister of Bath, con-
cerning the eternity of future punishments ; and another,
on the subject of papery, to a person, of very great quality.
In 1669, he published his Apostolical Harmony, with a
view to settle the peace of the church,- upon a point of the
utmost importance to all its members ; and be dedicated it
to Dr. William Nicholson, bishop of Gloucester. This
performance was greatly disliked, at first, by many of the
clergy, and others, on account of the author's departing
therein from the private opinions of some doctors of the
church, and his jmanner of reconciling the two apostles St.
Paul and St. James, as to the doctrine of justification. It
was particularly opposed by Dr. Morley, bishop of Win-

* Every morning and evening tbe
family were called to prayers, which
were either those composed by bishop
Taylor, or takeu out of " The Com-
mon Prayer book the best Compa-
nion." A portion of Scripture was
read at the same time, with the addi-
tion, on Sunday evenings, of a chapter
out of the " Whole Duty of Man." If
any of his servants could not read, be
would assign one of the family to be
their teacher; and no neglect of duty
in them offended him so much as their
Absence from the family devotions. Tbe

constant frame and temper of his mind
was so truly devout, that he would fre-
quently in the day-time, as occasion
offered, use short prayers and ejacula-
tions ; and when he was sitting in si-
lence in his family, and they, as be
thought, intent upon other matters, be
would often with an inexpressible air
of great seriousness, lift up his hands
and eyes to heaven, and sometimes
drop tears. He was very frequent and
earnest in his private devotions, of
which singing psalms always made s>
part.

s

BULL. 2CT

Chester; Dr. Barlow, Margaret-professor of divinity at Ox-
ford ; Mr. Charles Gataker, a presbyterian divine; Mr. Jo-
seph Truman, a non-conformist minister ; Dr. Tally, prin-
cipal of St. Ediriund's-hall ; Mr. John Tombes, a famous
anabaptist preacher ; Dr. Lewis Du Moulin, an indepen-
dent ; and by M. De Marets, a French writer, who tells
us, " that the author, though a professed priest of the
church of England, was more addicted to the papists, re-
monstrants, and Socinians, than to the orthodox party."
Towards the end of 1675, Mr. Bull published his " Exa-
men Censurae," &c. in answer to Mr. Gataker, and his
tt Apologia pro Harmonia," &c. in reply to Dr. Tully. Mr.
Bull's notion on this subject was " That good works, which
proceed from faith, and are conjoined with faith, are a
necessary condition required from us by God, to the end
that by the new and evangelical covenant, obtained by
and sealed in the blood of Christ the Mediator of it, we
may be justified according to his free and unmerited
grace." In this doctrine, and throughout the whole book,
Mr. .Bull absolutely excludes all pretensions to merit on
the part of men ; but the work nevertheless excited the
jealousy of many able divines both in the church and
among the dissenters, as appears from the above list.
About three years after, he was promoted by the earl of
Nottingham, then lord chancellor, to a prebend in the
church of Gloucester, in which he was installed the 9th of
October, 1678. In 1680, he finished his "Defence of
the Nicene Faith," of which he had given a hint five years-
before in his Apology. This performance, which is levelled
against the Arians and Socinians on one hand, and the
Tritheists and Sabellians on the other, was received with
universal applause, and its fame spread into foreign coun-
tries, where it was highly esteemed by the best judges of
antiquity, though of different persuasions. Five years after
its publication, the author was presented, by Philip Shep-
pard, esq. to the rectory of Avening in Gloucestershire, a
very large parish, and worth two hundred pounds per an-
num. The people of this parish, being many of them
very dissolute and immoral, and many more, disaffected to
the church of England, gave him for some time great trou-
ble and uneasiness ; but, by his prudent conduct and dili-
gent discharge of his duty, he at last got the better of their
prejudices, and converted their dislike iuto the most cor-
dial love and affection towards him. He had not been

268 BULL.

long at Averring, before he was promoted, by archbishop
Sancroft, to the archdeaconry of LandafF, in which he was
installed the 20th of June, 1686. He was invited soon
after to Oxford, where the degree of doctor in divinity-
was conferred upon him by that university, without the
payment of the usual fees, in consideration of the great
and eminent services he had done the church. During the
reign of James II. the doctor preached very warmly against
popery, with which the nation was then threatened. Some
-time after the revolution, he was put into the commission
of the peace, and continued in it, with some little inter-
ruption, till he was made a bishop. In 1694, whilst he
continued rector of Avening, he published his " Judicium
Ecclesise Catholicae, &c." in defence of the " Anathema,**
as his former book had been of the Faith, decreed by the
first council of Nice*. The last treatise which Dr. Bull
wrote, was his " Primitive Apostolical Tradition," &c.
against Daniel Zwicker, a Prussian. All Dr. Bull's Latin
works, which he had published by himself at different times,
were collected together, and printed in T703, in one vo-
lume in folio, under the care and inspection of Dr. John
Ernest Grabe, the author's age and infirmities disabling
him from undertaking this edition. The ingenious editor

* Mr. Nelson, soon after the publi- others assembled in the samo church,

cation of this work, sent it as a present can continue a moment without ac-

to Mr. Bossuet, bishop of Meaux. That knowledging her. Or, let him tell me,

prelate communicated it to several sir, what he means by the term catholic

other, French bishops, the result of church? Is it the church of Rome, ami

which was, that Mr. Nelson was desired those that adhere to her ? Is it the

in a letter from the bishop of Meaux, church of England ? Is it a confused

not only to return Dr. Bull his humble heap of societies, separated the one

thanks, but the unfeigned congratula- from the other ? And how can they be

ti«as also of the. whole clergy of France, that kingdom of Christ, not divided,

then assembled at St, Germain's, for against itself, and which shall never

the great service he had done to the perish ? It would be a great satisfac-*

catholic church, in so well defending tion to me to receive some answer up-

her determination, concerning tbe ne- on this subject, that might explain the

cessity of believing the divinity of tbe opinion of so weighty and solid an

Son of Cod. In that letter the bishop author." Dr. Bull answered the queries

of Meaux expresses himself in the fol- proposed in this letter ; but just as

.lowing terms : " Dr. Bull's perform- his answer came to Mr. Nelson's bands,

ance is admirable, the matter he treats the bishop died. However, Dr. Bull's

of could not be explained with greater answer was published, and a second

learning and judgment; but there is edition printed at London, 1707, in

one thing I wonder at, which is, that 12 mo, under the following title: "The

so great a man, who speaks so advan- corruptions of the church of Rome, in

tageouoly of tbe church, of salvation relation to ecclesiastical government,

which is obtained only in unity 'with the rule of faith, and form of divine

her, and of the infallible assistance of worship: In answer to the bishop of

the Holy Ghost in the council of Nice, Meaux' s queries."
which infers the same assistance for all

'BULL. 26i

illustrated the work with many learned annotations, and
ushered it into the world with an excellent preface. Dr»
Bull was in the seventy-first year of his age, when he was
acquainted with her majesty's gracious intention of con-
ferring on him the bishopric of St. David's; which promo-
tion he at first declined, on account of his ill state of health
and advanced years ; but, by the impprtunity of his friends,
and strong solicitations from the governors of the church,
he was at last prevailed upon to accept it, and was accord-
ingly consecrated in Lambeth-chapel, the 29th of April,
1705. Two years after, he lost his eldest son, Mr. George
Bull, who died of the small-pox the 1 1th of May, 1707, ia
the thirty-seventh year of his age. Our prelate took his
seat in the house of lords in that memorable session, when
the bill passed for the union of the two kingdoms, and
spoke in a debate which happened upon that occasion, in
favour of the church of England. About July after his.
consecration, he went into his diocese, and was received
with all imaginable demonstrations of respect by the gen*
try and clergy. ,The episcopal palace at Aberguilly being,
much out of repair, he chose the town of Brecknock for
the place of his residence ; but was obliged, about half &
year before his death, to remove from thence to Aber-
marless, for the benefit of a freer air- He resided con-
stantly in his diocese, and carefully discharged all the epis-
copal functions. Though bishop Bull was a great admirer
of our ecclesiastical constitution, yet he would often la-
ment the distressed state of the church of England, chiefly
owing to the decay of ancient discipline, and the great
number of lay-impropriations, which he considered as a
species of sacrilege, and insinuated that he had known in-
stances of its being punished by the secret curse which
hangs over sacrilegious persons. Some time before his
last sickness, he entertained thoughts of addressing a cir-
cular letter to all his clergy ; and, after his death, there was
found among his papers one drawn Up to that purpose. He
bad greatly impaired his health, by too intense and unsea-
sonable an application to his studies, and, on the 27th of
September, 1709, was taken with a violent fit of coughing,
which brought on a spitting of blood. About the begin-
ning of February following, he was seized with a distem-
per, supposed to be an ulcer, or what they call the inward
piles; of which he died the 1 7th of the same month, and

2*0 BULL.

was buried, about a week after his death, at Brecknock,
leaving behind him but two children out of eleven.

He was tall of stature, and in his younger years thin and
pale, but fuller and more sanguine in the middle and lat-.
ter part of his age ; his sight quick and strong, and hid
constitution firm and vigorous, till indefatigable reading,
and nocturnal studies, to which he was very much ad-:
dieted, had first impaired, and at length quite extin-
guished the one, and subjected the other to many infir-
mities ; for his sight failed him entirely, and his strength
to a great degree, some years before he died. But what-
ever other bodily indispositions he contracted, . by intense
thinking, and a sedentary life, his head was always free,
and remained unaffected to the last. As to the tempera-
ture and complexion of his body, that of melancholy
seemed to prevail, but never so far as to indispose his mind
for study and conversation. The vivacity of his natural
temper exposed him to sharp and sudden fits of anger,
which were but of short continuance, and sufficiently
atoned for by the goodness and tenderness of his nature
towards all his domestics. He had a firmness and con-
stancy of mind which made him not easily moved when he
had once fixed his purposes and resolutions. He had early
a true sense of feligion ; and though he made a short ex-
cursion into the paths of vanity, yet he was entirely re-
covered a considerable time before he entered into holy
orders. His great learning was tempered with that modest
and humble opinion of it, that it thereby shone with
greater lustre. His actions were no less instructive than
his conversation ; for his exact knowledge of the holy
scriptures, and of the writings of the primitive fathers of
the church, had so effectual an influence upon his practice,
that it was indeed a fair, entire, and beautiful image of the
prudence and probity, simplicity and benignity, humility
and charity, purity and piety, of the primitive Christians.
During his sickness, his admirable patience under ex-
quisite pains, and his continual prayers, made it evident
that his mind was much fuller of God than of his illness ;
and he entertained those that attended him with such
beautiful and lively descriptions of religion and another
world, as if he had a much clearer view than ordinary of
what he believed.
Bishop Bull's Sermons, and the larger discourses, were

BULL. 271

published in 1713, 3 vols. 8vo, by Robert Nelson, esq.
with a Life, occupy ing a fourth volume, which was also
published separately. Some of the sermons are on curious
subjects, and seem rather ingenious than edifying, but as
an assertor of the doctrine of the Trinity, bishop Bull must
be allowed to rank among the ablest divines of the last age. l
BULL (John), a celebrated musician, and doctor in
that faculty, was descended from a family of that name in
Somersetshire, and born about the year 1563. Having
discovered an excellent natural genius for music, he was
educated in that science, when very young, under Mr.
William Blitheman, an eminent master, and organist of
the chapel to queen Elizabeth.. On the 9th of July 1586
he was admitted bachelor of music at Oxford, having ex-
ercised that art fourteen years ; and, we are told, he would
have proceeded in that university " had he not met with
clowns and rigid puritans there, that could not endure
church-music." Some time after, he was created doctor
of music at Cambridge; but in what year is uncertain,
there being a deficiency in the register. In 1691 he was
appointed organist of the Queen's chapel, in the room of
Mr. Blitheman, deceased ; and on the 7th of July, the
year following, he was incorporated doctor of music at
Oxford. He was greatly admired for his fine hand on the
organ, as well as for his compositions ; several of which
have been long since published in musical collections,
besides a large number in manuscript, that made a part of
the curious and valuable collection of music lately reposited
in the library of Dr. Pepusch. Upon the establishment of,
Gresham-college, Dr. Bull was chosen the first professor
of music there, about the beginning of March 1596,
through the recommendation of queen Elizabeth ; and not
being able to speak in Latin, he was permitted to deliver
his lectures altogether in English; which practice, so far
as appears, has been ever since continued, though the
professors of that science have often been men of learning.
In 1601, his health being impaired, so that he was un-
able to perform the duty of his place, he went to travel,
having obtained leave to substitute, as his deputy, Mr.
Thomas Birde, son of Mr. William Birde, one of the gen-
tlemen of her majesty's chapel. He continued abroad
above a year. After the death of queen Elizabeth, our

» JUfr, by NeUon.— Bio* Brit.

5t2 BULL.

professor became chief organist to king James I. and De-t
cember the 20th, the same year, he resigned his profes-
sorship of Gresham-college ; but for what reason is not%
known. In 1613 he again left England, induced, pro-,
bably, by the declining reputation of church-music, which,
at this time had not that regard paid to it, that had been'
formerly. He went directly into the Netherlands, where,
about Michaelmas, the same year, he was received into the
service of the archduke ; and Mr. Wood says he died at
Hamburgh, or (as others, who remember him, have said) .
at Lujbeck. His picture is yet preserved in the music-
school at Oxford, among other famous professors of that
science, which hang round the room.

Ward has given a long list of bis compositions in ma-
nuscript; but the only works in print are his lessons in
•' the collection entitled " Parthenia," the first music that,
ever was printed for the virginals. He appears from some
lesspns in this work, to have possessed a powet of execu-
tion on the harpsichord far beyond what'is generally con-
ceived of the masters of that time. But Dr. Burney, who
has entered very largely into the character of his music,
seems to think that it evinces more labour than genius, and ..
that the great difficulty of performing it is poorly recom-.
pensed by the effect produced. x

BULLEN. SeeBOLEYNE.

BULLER (Sir Francis), bart. a judge of the court of
kingVbench and common-pleas, the soil of James Buller,
esq. member of parliament for the county of Cornwall, by
Jane, his second wife, one of the daughters of Allen earl •
Bathurst, was born in 1745, and educated at a private
school in the west of England. After this he removed to
London, and was admitted of the Inner Temple, Feb. 1763,
and became a pupil of sir William Ashurst, who was at
that time a very eminent special-pleader, but whom, it .
has been thought, he excelled. He was always ranked
among the most eminent of the profession in this branch,
and his business, as a common-law draughtsman, was im-
mediate, and immense. His practice also tit the bar, to
which he was called by the honourable society of the
Middle Temple in Easter Term, 1772, was at first con-
siderable, and in a very short period, became. equal to .

*— *

1 Biog. Brit.— Wood's Fasti, vok I.— Burney "and Hawkins's Hist, of Muiic
—Ward's Gresham Professors.

B U L L E R, 278

■ *

that of almost any of his brethren. Devoting himself en*
tirely to it, he never came into parliament On Nov. 24,
1777, he was appointed king's-counsel, and on the 27th
of the same month, second judge of the Chester circuit.
In Easter term, May 6, 1778, by the patronage of lord
Mansfield, who bad a high opinion of his talents, he was
made a judge of the king's-bench, in the room of sir
Richard Aston. During the indisposition of lord Mans-r
field, for the last three or four years that he held the office
of chief justice, sir Francis Buller executed almost all the
business at the sittings at nisi prius, with great ability,
and lord Mansfield left him 2000/. in his will, which, it is
said, Mr, justice Buller declined receiving of his lordship,
when offered as a compensation for his trouble. On th$
resignation of lord Mansfield, his expectations were di-
rected to the succession to the high office so long and
ably filled by that venerable lawyer, but, for various rea*
sons, sir Lloyd Kenyon was preferred. In 1794, in con-
sequence of his declining state of health, which rendered
him unequal to the laborious duties of that court, he was,
on the death of judge Gould, removed to the court of
common-pleas, but his health still continuing to decay, he
was about to have obtained his majesty's leave to resign,
when he died suddenly, at his house in Bedford-square,
June 4, 1800, and was interred in a vault in St. Andrew's
burying-ground. He was created a baronet in 1789, and
was succeeded in titles and estate by his son sir F. Buller
Yarde, which last name he took for an estate. Sir Francis
Buller was allowed to be ably and deeply versed in the
law, and was certainly more distinguished for substantial
than showy talents. His eloquence at the bar was seldom
admired, but his addresses from the bench were perspi-
cuous, dignified, and logical. He possessed great quick-
ness of perception, saw the consequences of a fact, and
the drift of an argument at its first opening, and could
immediately reply to an unforeseen objection, but was on
some occasions thought rather hasty. He seldom, how-
ever, formed his opinions without due consideration,
and was particularly tenacious of what he had thus con-
sidered.

As a writer he has conferred some obligations on the pro-
fession. His " Introduction to the law relative to Trials at
Nisi Prius," 1772, 4 to, has passed through six editions, with

Vol. VII. T

274 B U L L E R.

occasional corrections and additions, the last of which was
printed in 1793, and is considered as a standard work. *

BULLET (John Baptist), a learned French writer,
member of the academies of Besan£on, Lyons, and Dijon,
and a corresponding member of the academy of inscrip-
tions, was born ,in 1699, and was professor of divinity in
the university of BeSan^on from the year 1728 ; and after-
wards dean. He had a surprising memory, and although
devoted to controversial studies, was of a mild and affable
disposition. His works are of two kinds ; some turning
on religious matters, and otheTs on literary inquiry. They
are all accurate and solid ; but we are not to look in them
for ^elegance of style. The principal of them are : I . "His-
tory of the establishment of Christianity, taken from Jewish
and Pagan authors alone," 1764, 4to. 2. " The exist-
ence of God demonstrated by nature," 2 vols. 8vo. 3.
u Answer to some objections of unbelievers to the Bible,'*
3 vols. 12mo. 4. "De apostolica ecclesiae Gallicanae ori-
gine," 1752, 12mo. 5. " Memoirs on the Celtic tongue,'*
1754-59, 3 vols. fol. 6. " Researches into the history of
Cards," 1757, 8vo. 7. " A dissertation on the history of
France," 1757, 8vo.

Of these works, the first was translated into English, and
published in 1776, under the title of "The History, &c.
translated by William Salisbury, B. D. with notes by the
translator, and some strictures on Mr. Gibbon's account
of Christianity, and its first teachers," 8vo. This is a
very valuable work, but the original was long a scarce one
in this country. Dr. Lardner, before he published the
third volume of his " Collection of Testimonies," endea-
voured to procure a copy, but without success, and was
therefore obliged to publish his last volume without being
able to make any use of it. Dr. Lardner's work is un-.
doubtetily more complete and perfect, but the present*
contains within a narrow compass, and therefore more
useful to the general reader, a clear and distinct view o£
the facts on which Christianity is founded, during the first
three centuries, which are by far the most important.
There are also in professor Bullet's work some useful
things which are not in Lardner ; particularly a vindica-
tion of certain contested proofs; an argument in favour of

J Gent 3Vfa£. 1800. — Strictures on Eminent Lawyers, 1 790, 8vo. — Bridjraan's
Legal Bibliography,

BULLET. 275

the Christian cause, built upon the supposed silence of
Josephus concerning Jesus Christ, &c. His plan is also
different from Lardner's, forming a connected discourse,
without interruption, and therefore probably better suited
to a numerous class of readers.

Our learned professor's " Researches into the history, of
Cards" is at least amusing; but his " Memoires sur la
langae Celtique" contributed most to his reputation as a
scholar of profound research. In these he has endeavoured
to prove that all Europeans are descended from one com-
mon origin, and, consequently, now speak only different
dialects of the same language. In this investigation an
immense number of books and MSS. appear to have been
consulted, and he made some progress in all the languages
of the earth, and had recourse to every living and dead
tongue, where the smallest vestiges of the Celtic were to
be found. In his dissertations on different subjects of the
history of France are many curious inquiries. 1

BULLEYN (William), a learned English physician
and botanist, was descended from an ancient family, and
born in the isle of Ely, about the beginning of Henry the
Eighth's reign. He was bred up at Cambridge, as some
say, at Oxford according to others ; but probably both
those nurseries of learning had a share in his education.
We know, however, but little of his personal history,
though he was famous in his profession, and a member of
the college of physicians in London, except what we are
able to collect from his works. Tanner says, that he was
a divine as well as a physician ; that he wrote a book
against transubstantiation ; and that in June 1550 he was
inducted into the rectory of Blaxhall, in Suffolk, which
.be resigned in November 1554. From bis works we learn
that he had been a traveller over several parts of Germany,
Scotland, and especially England ; and he seems to have
made it his business to acquaint himself with the natural
history of each place, and with the products of its soil*
It appears, however, that he was more permanently settled
at Durham, where he practised physic with great repu-
tation ; and, among others of the most eminent inhabitants,
was in great favour with sir Thomas Hilton, knight, baron
of Hilton, to whom he dedicated a book in the last year
ef queen Mary's reign. In 1560, he went to London,

I Diet. Hist.— Month. Rer. to!. LVIl.

T 2

276 BULLEYN.

where, to bis infinite surprise, he found himself accused
by Mr. William Hilton of Biddick, of having murdered his
brother, the baron aforesaid ; who really died among his
own friends of a malignant fever. The innocent doctor
was easily cleared, yet his enemy hired some ruffians to
assassinate him, and when disappointed in this, arrested
Dr. Bulleyn in an action, and confined him in prison a
long time ; where he wrote some of his medical treatises.
He was a very learned, experienced, and able physician.
He was very intimate with the works of the ancient phy-
sicians and, naturalists, both Greek, Roman, and Arabian.
He was also a man of probity and piety, and though he

' lived in the times of popery, does not appear to have been
tainted with its principles. He died Jan. 7, 157€, and
.was buried in the same grave with his brother Richard
Bulleyn, a divine, who died thirteen years before, in the
church of St. Giles^ Cripplegate. There is an inscription
on their tomb, with some Latin verses, in which they are

. .celebrated as men famous for their learning and piety. Of
Dr. Bulleyn particularly it is said, that he was always as
ready to accommodate the poor as the rich, with medi-
cines for the relief of their distempers. There is a profile
.of Bulleyn, with a long beard, before his "Government
of Health,1' and a whole-length of him. in wood, prefixed
ta his " Bulwarke of defence." He was an ancestor of the
late Dr. Stukeley, who, in 1722, was at,the expeoce of
having a small head of him engraved.'

He wrote, 1. "The Government of Health," 1558, 8 vov
2. M Regimen against the Pleurisy/1 1562, 8vo. 3. "Bul-
wark of defence against all sickness, soreness, and wounds,
that daily assault mankind,1' &c. 1562, folio. This work
consists of, first, The book of compounds, with a table of
their names, and the apothecaries rules or terms; se-
condly, The book of the use of sick men and medicines.
These are both composed in dialogues between Sickness
and Health. Then follows, thirdly, The book of simples,
being an Herbal in the form of a dialogue ; at the end of
which are the wooden cuts of some plants, and of some
iimbecks or stills ; and, fourthly, a dialogue between Sore-

. xiess and Chirurgery) concerning . impostumations and
wounds, and their causes and cures. This tract has three

. .wooden cuts in it ; one representing a man's body on the.
forepart full of sores and swellings; the other, in like
manner* behind J the third is also a human figure, in which

BULLEYN. *X7

the veins ate seen directed to, and named, which are to be
opened in phlebotomy. 4. A dialogue both pleasant and
pitiful, wherein is shewed a godly regimen against the
plague, with consolations and comfort against death, 1664,
8vo. Some other pieces of a smaller nature are ascribed
to Dr. Bulleyn, but of very little consequence.

Dr. Pulteney is of opinion that Bulleyn's specific know*
ledge of Botany seems to have been but slender ; but his
zeal for the promotion of the useful arts of gardening, the
general culture of the land, and the commercial interests of
the kingdom, deserve the highest praise, and for the in-
formation he has left of these affairs, in his own time, pos-
terity owe him acknowledgements. His travels, and the
great attention he had paid to the native productions of bis
own country, had given him a comprehensive view of the
natural fertility of the soil and climate of England; which,
'from the tenour of his writings, seems to have been, at
that time, by some people much depreciated. He op-
poses this idea with patriotic zeal and concern, and alleges
various examples to prove, that we had excellent apples,
pears, plums, cherries, and hops, of our own growth,
before the importation of these articles into England by
the London and Kentish gardeners, but tbat the culture of
them had been greatly neglected. '

BULLIALDUS, or BOULLIAU (Ismael), a celebrated
astronomer and scholar, was born of protestant parents, at
Houdun in France, September the 28th, 1605 ; and hav-
ing finished his studies in philosophy at Paris, and in. civil
law at Poictiers, he applied to mathematics, theology, sa-
cred and profane history, and civil law, with such assi-
duity, that he became eminent in each of these depart-
» ments, and acquired the reputation of an universal genius.
As he had travelled for his improvement into Italy, Ger-
many, Poland, and the Levant, he formed an extensive
acquaintance with men of letters, and maintained a cor-
respondence with the most distinguished persons of his
time. Although he had been educated a protestant, he
changed his profession at the age of 27 years, and became
a catholic priest. His life was prolonged to his 89th year ;
and having retired to the abbey of St. Victor at Paris in
1689; he died there November the 25th, 1694. Besides
his pieces concerning ecclesiastical rights, which excited

. * Biog. Brit— Tanner.— Ath. Ox. I— Pulteney'g Sketches.— Aikia't Biogra-
phical Memoirs of Medicine, 8vo. p. 142, fee.

27S BULLIALDUS.

attention, and the history of Ducas, printed at the Louvre,
in 1649, in the original Greek, with a Latin version and
notes, he was the author of several other works, chiefly
mathematical and philosophical. His " Treatise on the
Nature of Light" was published in 1638; and his work'
entitled, " Philolaus, sive de vero Systema Mundi," or his
true system of the world, according to Philolaus, an an-
cient philosopher and astronomer, in the* same year, and
republished in 1645, under the title of " Astronomia Phi-
lolaica," grounded upon the hypothesis of the earth's mo-
tion, and the elliptical orbit described by the planet's mo-
tion about a cone. To which he added tables entitled
" Tabulae Philolaicse :" a work which Riccioli says ought
to be attentively read by all students of astronomy. — He
considered the hypothesis, or approximation of bishop
Ward, and found it not to agree with the planet Mars ;
and shewed in his defence of the Philolaic astronomy
against the bishop, that from four observations made by
Tycho on the planet Mars, that planet in the first and third
quarters of the mean anomaly, was more forward than it
ought to be according to Ward's hypothesis ; but in the 2d
and 4th quadrant of the same, the planet was not so far
advanced as that hypothesis required. He therefore set
about a correction of the bishop's hypothesis, and made it
to answer more exactly to the orbits of the planets, which
Were' most eccentric, and introduced what is called by
Street, in his ^ Caroline Tables," the Variation : for these
tables were calculated from this correction of Bulliaklus,
and exceeded all in exactness that went before. This cor-
rection is, in the judgment of Dr. Gregory, a very happy
one, if it be not set above its due place ; and be accounted
no more than a correction of an approximation to the true
system : For by this 'means we are enabled to gather the
coequate anomaly a priori and directly from the mean, and
the observations are well enough answered at the same
time; which, in ,Mercator's opinion, no one had effected
before. — It' is remarkable that the ellipsis which he has
chosen for a planet's motion, is such a one as, if cut out of
a cone, will have the axis of the cone passing through one
©f its foci, viz. that next the aphelion.

In 1657, was published his treatise " De Lineis Spiral!-
bus, Exerc. Geom. & Astron." Paris, 4to. — In 1682 came
out at Paris, in folio, his large work entitled, " Opus no-
vum ad Arithmeticam Infinitorum :" a work which is a dif-

B U L L IALDUS. 2J»

1

fuse amplification of Dr. Wallis's Arithmetic of Infinites,
and which Wallis treatSvof particularly in the 80th chapter
of im historical treatise of Algebra. — He wrote also two
admonitions to astronomers. The first, concerning a new
star in the neck of the Whale, appearing at some times,
and disappearing at others. The 2d, concerning a nebu-
lous star in the northern part of Andromeda's girdle, not
discovered by any of the ancients. This star also appeared
and disappeared by turns. And as these phenomena ap*
peared new and surprizing, he strongly recommended the
observing them to all that might be curious in astronomy.*
BULLINGER (Henry), one of the reformers, was borri
at Bremgarten, a village near Zurich, , in : Switzerland^
July 18, 1504. At the age of twelve be was sent by, his
father to Emmeric, to be instructed in grammar-learnings
and here he remained three years, during which his father,!
to make him feel for the distresses of others, and be mor6
frugal and modest in bis dress, and temperate, ia hi£ dietj
withdrew that money with which he was wont to supply:
him; so that Bullinger was forced, according, to tbe.cus-*
torn of those times, to subsist on the alms be got ;by sing4
ing from door to door. While here, he w#s, strongly ink
cloned to enter among the Carthusians, but was dissuaded
from it by an elder brother. At, fifteen years of age het
was sent to Cologn, where he studied logic, and commenced'
B. A. at sixteen years old; He afterwards betook himselfi
to the study of divinity and canon law, and to the readingr
of the fathers, and conceived such a dislike to the schools
divines, as in 1520, to write some dialogues against, thera^
and about the same time he began to see the errors of »the,
church of Rome, from which, however, he did not imme-r
diately separate. In 1.522, he commenced M, A, and. re*!
turning home, he spent a year in his father's hpuss, wholly
employing himself. in his studies., /The year after, he.wftSi
called by the, abbot of La Ch&pelle, a Cjsterciau abbey/
near Zurich, to teach in that jplftce,; which he did wjthgresfc
reputation for. four yearfc, and wap. ; very jtn$tvptf*cfn til iaJ
causing the reformation of Zuingfcus.tQ be r^wed. - ilt,fei
very remarkable that while thus! torching find. changing shfa
sentiments of the Cisterciaps uv(bi|3-p\ac5, it dqestiQtj apre
pear that he was a cl§r.gy«Hfian injtbfc cop&munion &f t?he &£&

of Rome, nor ; that he had .a^M share in the rpojjiias&fc

■ ■ ■ • * , i •>

1 Moreri, art. Bouillaud.— Martin's Biographia,Philo80phi^a.-r-HuttonrsDuJ.

s

280 ' B If L LI N G E ft.

observances of the house. Zuinglius, assisted by Oecolam~
padius. and Bucer, had established the reformed doctrines
-at Zurich in 1523 ; and in 1527, Bullinger attended the
lectures of Zuinglius in that city, for some months, re~
aiewed his acquaintance with Greek, and began the study
of Hebrew. He preached also publicly by a licence from
the synod, and accompanied Zuinglius at the famous dis-
putation held at Bern in 1528* The year following, he'
Was called to be minister of the protestant church, in his
native place at Bremgarten, and married a wife, wha
brought him six sons and five daughters, and died in 1 5.64.
He met with great opposition from the papists and anabap-
tists in his parish, but disputed publicly, and wrote several
books against them. The victory gained by the Romish
cantons over the protestants in a battle fought 1531, forced
him, together with his father, brother, and colleague, to
fly to Zurich, where he was chosen pastor in the room of
Zuinglius, slain in the late battle. He was also employed
in several ecclesiastical negociations, with a view to recon-
cile the Zuiuglians and Lutherans, and to reply to the
harsh censures which were published by Luther against the
doctrine of the Swiss churches respecting the sacrament*
In 1549, he concurred with Calvin in drawing up a formu-
lary, expressing the conformity of belief which subsisted
between the churches of Zurich and Geneva, and intended
on the part of Calvin, for obviating any suspicions that he
inclined to the opiniou of Luther with respect to the sacra-
ment. ". He~ greatly assisted the English divkies who fled
into .Switzerland from the persecution raised in England
by queen JMary, and ably confuted the pope's bull excom-
municating queen Elizabeth. The magistrates of Zurich,
by his jpersuasion, erected a new college in 1538. He
ajso prevailed with them to erect, in a place that had for-
merly been a nunnery, a new school, in which fifteen
ypuths were trained up under an able master, and supplied ,
with food, raiment, and other necessaries. In 1549, he
by his influence hindered the Swiss from renewing their
league with Henry II. of France; representing to them, .
that it was neither just nor lawful for a man to suffer him-
artf to be hired to shed another man's blood, from whom
himself had never received any injury. In 1551 he wrote
&b'ook, the purport of which was to shew, that the council
of Trent had no other design than to oppress theprofessors
of sound religion ; and, therefore, that the cantons should

BUL LI NGEH m

pky no regard to the invitations of the pope, which soli-
cited their sending deputies to that council. In 1 56 1 hd
feominenced a controversy with Brehtius concerning the
ubiquity of the body of Christ, zealously maintained by
Brentius, and as vehemently opposed by BuUinger, which
continued till his death, on the 17th of September, 1575.
His funeral oration was pronounced by John Stukius, and
his life was written by Josias Simler (who had married one
of his daughters), and was published at Zurich in 1575,
4to, with Stukius's oration, and the poetical tributes of
many eminent men of his time. Bullinger's printed works
are very numerous, doctrinal, practical, and controversial,
but no collection has ever been made of them. His high
reputation in England, during the progress of the reform-
ation, occasioned the following to be either translated into
English, or published here : 1. " A hundred Sermons
tfpon the Apocalypse," 1561, 4to. 2. "Bullae papistic®
contra reginarn Elteabetham, refutatio," 1571, 4to. 3.
" The Judgment of Bullinger, declaring it to be law-
ful for the ministers of the church of England to wear the
apparel prescribed by the laws, &c." Eng. and Lat. 1566,
8vo. 4. "Twenty-six Sermons on Jeremiah,'9 1583. 5.
"•An epistle on the Mass, with one of Calvin's," 1548, 8vo.
G. " A treatise or sermon, concerning Magistrates and
Obedience of Subjects, also concerning the affairs of War,"
1049, 8vo, 7. * Tragedies of Tyrants, exercised upon
the church of God from the birth of Christ unto this pre-
sent ye*r 1572," translated by Tho. Twine, 1575, 8vo. 8.
^Exhortation to the ministers of God's Word, &c." 1575,
8vo. 9. " Two Sermons pn the end of the World," 1 596,
SvOi 1.0. " Questions 'of religion cast abroad in Helvetia
by the adversaries of the same, and answered by M. H. Bul-
linger of Zurich, reduced into seventeen commoh places,"
1572, 8vo. 11. " Common places of Christian Religion,**
157S and 1581, 8vo. 12. " Bellinger's Decades, in Latin,n
1586. 13. •«« The Summe of the Four Evangelists/' 1582,
8vo. 14. "The Sum or Substance of St. Paul's Epistle to
the Thessalonians," 1538, 8vo.* 15. "Three Dialogues
between the seditious Libertine or rebel Anabaptist, and
the true obedient Christian," 1551, 8vo. 16. "Fifty godly
and learned Sermons, divided into five decades, contain-
ing the chief and principal points of Christian religion," a
very thick 4to vol. 1577, particularly described by Ames*
This book was held' in high estimation in the reign of queen

2SS BULLINGER.

Elizabeth. In 1586* archbishop Whitgift, in full convoca-
tion, procured an order to be made that every clergyman of
a certain standing, should procure a copy of them, read one
of the sermons contained in them every week, and make
notes of the principal matters. l

. BULLOCK (Henry), a man of learning in the begin-
ning of the sixteenth century, and the friend of Erasmus,
who corresponded with him by the name of Boviutus, was
$, native of Berkshire, according to Fuller. He was edu-
cated at Queen's college, Cambridge, where he took his
bachelor's degree in 1504, and his master's in 1507, and
was chosen fellow in the last mentioned year. He com*
menced D.D. in 1<520, and was vice-chancellor in 1524-5.
He was esteemed a man of abilities, and chosen by cardinal
Wolsey to answer Luther. The cardinal also made him.
his chaplain, but we do not find that he raised him to any
higher dignity, yet the oration he spoke in favour of the
cardinal, now printed in Fiddes's. life of that great church-
man, seems to have merited a higher reward. By his let-
ters to Erasmus, it appears that he was an able Grecian ajt
a time when that lahguage was,: little known, In 1513, in
conjunction with Mr. Walden, he re*d a mathematical lec-
ture, and had a salary from the university for it. He was
also one of the! twelve preachers sent oujt by that univer-
sity in XJ515. The biographers of. Erasmus profess their
ignorance of the time of his. death. Tanner fixes it. in
1$26,. ;b*t Dodd say's he was living in 1530.. He wrote,
J. " De ,Captivitate Babylonica contra Lutherum." 2.
"Epistol® et Orationes." .. 3; " De . Serpentibus siticulo-
sis," a translation from the Gr^ek of Lucian, printed at
Cambridge, 1521, 4to. 4. "Oratio coram Archiepiscopo
Eboracensi," ibid, 152L, 4to.8

BULSTRODE (Edward), a lawyer of some jiote dur-
ing the usurpation, was the second son of Edward Bul-
strode of Hughley or Hedgiey, near Beaconsfield ii> Bucking-
hamshire, and was born in 1588.. In 1603 he became a
commoner of St. John's college, Oxford, but left it without
a degree, and removed to. the Inner Temple, London,
where he studied law, under the patronage of sir James
Whitlock, whose learning Bulstrode celebrates in high

1 Vita a Simlero. — Melcbior Adam in vitis Theolog — Gen. Diet — StrypeV
Annals of the Reformation.— Saxii Onomasticon.

* Tanner.— Pits.— FaHerV Worthi«i«.r^Wart<on,A Hist, of Poefiry, vol, Ik
p. 43S.— Dudd's Church History.— Jortm and Knight's .Erasmus.

BULSTKODE fi$8

terms. After being called to the bar, he was in'. 8 Car. L
Lent-reader, and taking part with the presbyterians in the
rebellion, was promoted to be one of the justices of North
Wales in 1649, by the interest of his nephew the cele*
brated Bulstrode Whitlock. He was also an itinerant
justice, particularly at Warwick in 1653, in which county
he had an estate at Astley. He died at the Inner Temple;
of which he was a bencher, in April 1659, and was buried
in the Temple church. He published " A Golden Chain;
or Miscellany of divers sentences of the sacred scriptures;
and of other authors, &c." London, 1657, 8vo, but what
he is best known by is his " Reports of Cases in B. It:
regn. Jac. 1. & Car. I." which were first published in
1657, 1658, and 1659, in three parts, fol. Mr.>Bridgman
remarks that in 2 Bulstrode, 1658, there is a chasm in the
paging from 99 to 109. Ill 1688 a second' edition was
published, in which there is also a chasm from 104' to 1 14 ;
yet there are the same number of pages in both editions,
and the book is perfect. Wood mentions ah edition of
1691. Bulstrode is said to have adopted the* method of
Plowden in his reports, than which there cannot be a
stronger recommendation. l

BULSTRODE (Sir RicAard), eldest son of the pre*
ceding, was educated at Pembroke-hall, Cambridge,
whence he went to London, and after studying law became
a barrister ; but being of very different principles from his
father, joined the forces of his unhappy sovereign Charles I;
jand was quarter-master general until the forces were dis*
banded at Truro. At the restoration, he was sent to reside
as agent at Brussels, and on his return in 1675, Charles II.
knighted and made him resident, and James II. made hiift
his envoy. Disapproving of the revolution, he adhered to
the abdicated monarch, and accompanied him to St. Ger*
mains, where he remained twenty-two years. We know
•not if this be meant as the period of his life, but he is said
to have died aged lor, which brings him to the year 1782,
contrary to all probability, or even fact, for his great age at
the time of bis death is mentioned in a panegyric upon
him, inserted in 1715, in the ninth volume, or what is called
the spurious volume of the Spectator, and if he died much
before 1715, he could not have attained the vast age

.J Ath. Ox. tot. H.^Fuller's Worthi<fe,---Br!rfgifaaa's Legal Bibliography,

»

4-

*8* BULSTRODE.

attributed to him, consistently with the dates of his father's
age.

At eighty he is said to have composed, 1. 185 elegies .
and epigrams, all on religious subjects ; and before that,
in early life, a poem on the birth of the duke of York, 1721.
2. " Letters to the Earl of Arlington," 1712, 8vo. 3.
" Essays" on subjects of manners and morals, 1715, 8vo.
4. " Memoirs and Reflections upon the reigns and govern-
ments of Charles I. and II." He appears to have been a
man of talents and considerable learning, and in his poli-
tical course, able and consistent. His son Whitlocke Bul-
strode, who published his " Essays," enjoyed the office of
prothonotary of the marshal's court, and published a trea-
tise on the transmigration of souls, which went through
two editions, 1692, 1693, 8vo, and was translated into La-
tin by Oswald Dyke, 1725. 2. " Essays, ecclesiastical and
civil," 1706, 8vo. 3. " Letters ^between him and Dr.
Wood," physician to the pretender. 4. " Compendium of
the crown laws, in three charges to the grand jury at
Westminster," 1723, 8vo. He died Nov. 27, 1724, in his
seventy- fourth year, and was buried in Heston church,
Middlesex, where there is a monument and inscription on
the north wall of the chancel. '

BULTEAU (Lewis), a learned French author, was borii
at Rouen in 1615, and succeeded his uncle, as king's se-
cretary, which office he occupied for fourteen years, at
the end of which he withdrew to study and religious re-
tirement among the Benedictines of St. Manr, with whom
he passed the remainder of his days. His principal works
were " An Essay on the monastic History of the East,"
1680, 8vo, describing the manners, &c. of the Coertobites,
and proving that monastic institutions are not so modern
as has been supposed. " Abridgment of the History of
the Order of St. Benedict, as far as the tenth century,"
1684, 2 vols. 4to. " Translation of the Dialogues of Gre-
gory the Great," with notes, 1689, 12mo ; but his modesty
would not permit him to annex his name to his works. His
style was formed on the model of the writers of the Port
Royal ; and his knowledge of languages was very extensive.
He died of an apoplexy in 1693. His brother, Charles
Bulteau, published, in 1674, a " Treatise on the prece-

i Noble'g Sipptaneat to Qraogtn— Lysoni's Environ* voL III.— SptcUtor,
utniapra.

B U L T E A U. 28A

deuce of the Kings of France over those of Spain," 1764,
4to. He died, dean of the king's secretaries, in 1710. l

BULWER (John), of the seventeenth century, was au-
thor of several books of the language of the hand, of phy-
siognomy, and of instructions to the deaf and dumb, in-
tended, as he expresses it, " to bring those who are so born
to hear the sound of words with their eyes, and thence to
learn to speak with their tongues." This is explained in
his " Chirologia, or the natural Language of the Hand,
&c." 1644, 8vo. He was also author of " Pathomyoto-
mia," or a dissection of the significative muscles of the
affections of the mind, 1649, .12mo. The most curious of
his works is his " Anthropo-metamorphosis ; Man trans-
formed, or the artificial changeling ;" 1653, ^to, in which
he shews what a strange variety of shapes and dresses man-
kind have appeared in, in the different ages and nations of
the world. At the end of the first edition of this book in
12mo is a catalogue of the author's works in print and MS.
What he calls the language of the hand, or the art of
speaking by the fingers, is yet known in every boarding-
school and nursery, where, however, the more natural
substitute is very soon learned. '

BUNEL (Peter), an elegant Latin scholar, was born at
Toulouse in 1499, and studied at Paris, where he was dis-
tinguished by his quick progress and promising talents*
On his return to Toulouse, finding his family unable to
maintain him, he went to Padua, where he was supported
by Emilius Perrot He was afterwards taken into the
' family of Lazarus de Baif, the French ambassador at Ve-
nice, by whose generosity he was not only maintained, but
enabled, to study the Greek tongue, and he afterwards
studied Hebrew. George deSelve, bishop of Lavaur, who
succeeded de Baif as ambassador, retained Bunel in his
-service, and when his embassy was finished, carried him
with him to Levaur. Upon the . death of that prelate,
tohich happened in 1541, Bunel returned to Toiilouse,
where he would have been reduced to the greatest indi-
gence, had not messieurs de Faur, the patrons of virtue
and science, extended their liberality to him unasked. One
of these gentlemen appointed him tutor to his sons ; but
whilst he was making the tour of Italy with them,, he was
' cut off at Turin by a fever, in 1546. Mr. Bayle says, that

* Diet. HWt,— MorerL * Granger, toh 111*

2«e BUNEL

be was one of the politest writers of the Lathi: tongue in
the sixteenth century ; but though he was advantageously
distinguished by the eloquence of his Ciceronian style, he
was still more so by the strictness of his morals. The ma-
gistrates of his native town of Toulouse set up a marble
statue to his memory in their town-house. He left soma
Latin epistles written with the utmost purity, which were
first published by Charles Stevens in 1551, and afterwards
by Henry Stevens in 1581. Another, but a more incor-
rect edition, was printed at Toulouse in 1687, with noted
by Mr. Gravero, advocate of Nimes. l

BUNNEY (Edmund), descended from an ancient fa-*
inily in Yorkshire, was born at a house called the Vache,
near Chalfont St. Giles's, in Buckinghamshire, in 1540,
end when sixteen years old was sent to Oxford, and having
taken his bachelor's degree, was elected probationer fel-
low of Magdalen college. He was at this time distin-
guished for his knowledge of logic and philosophy, and
soon after went to Staple's Inn, and then to Gray's Inn,
where he spent about two years in the study of the law,
which profession his father wished him to follow. His oWn
inclination, * however, was for the study of divinity, which
displeased his father so much, that, to use his own words,
he " cast him off," although a man of piety .himself, and
one that had fled for his religion in queen Mary's days.
He returned accordingly to Oxford, and took his master's
degree in 1564. In the year following he was elected fel-
low of Merton college, an irregular act of the society,
which, however, Wood says was absolutely necessary, as
there was no person then in Merton college able to preach
any public sermon in the college turn ; and not only there*
but throughout the university at large, there was a great
scarcity of theologists. In 1570 he was admitted to the
.reading of the sentences, and about the same time became
chaplain to archbishop Grindall, who gave him a prebend
in that church, and the rectory of Bolton-Percy about sir
•miles distant. This rectory he held twenty^five years, and
then resigned it, but retained his prebend.- In 1570 we
also find that he was subdean of York, which he resigned
in 1579. In 1585 he was collated, being then B. D. to a
prebend in Carlisle, and had likewise, although we know
not at what period, a prebend, in St. Paul's. It appears

i Gen. Diet.

/

BUNNEY. 287

that he preached and catechised rery frequently, both in
Oxford and in many other places, travelling over 'a consi-
derable part of the kingdom, and preaching wherever
there appeared a want of clergy. This zeal, his being a
Calvinist, and his preaching extempore, brought him un-
der the imputation of being too forward and meddling,
against which he vindicated himself in " A Defence of his
labours in the work of the Ministry," written Jan. 20, 1602,
but circulated only in manuscript. He died at Cawood in
Yorkshire, Feb. 26 (on his monument, but 27 in arch-
bishop Matthews' s MS diary) 1617, and was buried in
York cathedral. He published, 1. " The Sum of Christian
Religion," Lond. 1576, 8vo. 2. "Abridgment of Cal-
vin's Institutions," from May's translation, ibid. 1580, 8vo.
3. "Sceptre of Judah," &c. ibid. 1584, 8vo. 4. « The
Coronation of King David, &c." 4to, 1588/ 5. Three or
four controversial pamphlets with Parsons, the Jesuit. 6.
" The Corner Stone, or a form of teaching Jesus Christ
out of the Scriptures," ibid. 1611, fol. l

BUNNEY (Francis), younger brother of the preceding,
was born at Vache, May 8, 1543, came to Oxford in 1558,
and after taking his bachelor's degree, was chosen per-
petual fellow of Magdalen college in 1562. He then took
his master's degree, and entered into holy orders in 1567.
He was appointed chaplain to the earl of Bedford, and
leaving his fellowship in 1571, went to the north of Eng-
land, where he became a frequent and popular preacher,
like his brother. In May 1572 he was inducted into a pre-
bend of Durham; in 1573 he was made archdeacon of
Northumberland, and in 1 578 he was presented to the rec-
tory of Ryton in the bishopric of Durham, on which he
resigned his archdeaconry. He died April 16, 1617, a
few weeks after his brother, and was buried in Rytort
church. Wdod represents him as a zealous enemy of
popery, an admirer of Calvin, and a man of great charity.
His works are three tracts against cardinal Bellarmin and
popery; an " Exposition of Romans iii. 28, on Justifica-
tion by Faith," London, 1616, 4to; and " Plain and fa-
miliar exposition of the Ten Commandments," ibid. 1617,
8vo. He also wrote a commentary on the prophet Joel,
being the substance of some sermons ; but, according to
Wood, this was left in manuscript. *

i Atb. Ox. toL L— Willis'* Cathedrals. * Ibid.

388 B U N Y A N.

BUNYAN (John), author of the justly -aclixiired allegory
of the " Pilgrim's Progress," was born at Elstow, near
Bedford, 1628. His parents, though very mean, toQfc
care to give him that learning which was suitable to their
condition, bringing him up to read and write, both winch
v he quickly forgot, abandoning himself to all manner of
wickedness, but not without frequent checks of conscience,
One day being at play with his companions (Jthe writer of
his life tells us), a voice suddenly darted from heaven into
his soul, saying, " Wilt thou leave thy sins and go to
heaven, or have thy sins and go to hell !". This put him
into such a consternation, that he immediately left his
sport ; and looking up to heaven, thought he saw the Lor,d
Jesus looking down upon him, as one highly displeased
I with him, and threatening him with some grievous punish?

ment for his ungodly practices. At another time, whilst
he was uttering many oaths, he was severely reproved by
a woman, who was herself a notorious sinner : she told
him be was the ugliest fellow for swearing that ever she
heard in all hfer life, and that he was able to spoil all the
youth of the town, if they came but into his company*
This reproof coming from a woman, whom he knew to be
very wicked, filled him with secret shame ; and made him,
from that time, very much refrain from it. His father
brought him up to his own business, which was. that of a
tinker. Being a soldier in the parliament army, at the
siege of Leicester, in 1645, he was drawn out to stand
sentinel ; but another soldier of his company desired to
take his place, to which he agreed, and thus escaped being
shot by a musket-ball, which took off his comrade. About
1655 he was admitted a member of a baptist congregation
at Bedford, and soon after was chosen their preacher. In
1660, being convicted at the sessions of hokjingrunlawful
assemblies and conventicles, he was sentenc$4V? perpetual
banishment, and in the mean time committed to, gaol, from
which he was discharged, after a confinement of twelve
years and an half, by the compassionate interposition of
Dr. Barlow, bishop of Lincoln. During his imprisonment,
his own hand ministered to his necessities, making many
an hundred gross of long-tagged thread laces, a trade which
he had learned since his confinement. At this time bq
also wrote many of his tracts, particularly the " Pilgrim*
Progress." Afterwards, being at liberty, he travelled into
several parts of England, to visit and confirm the brethren*

B 0 N Y A N. 289

which procured him the epithet of Bishop Bunyan. When
the declaration of James II. for liberty of conscience was
published, he, by the contributions of his followers, built
a meeting-house in Bedford, and preached constantly to
a numerous audience. He died in London of a fever,
1688, aged sixty. He had by his wife four children, one
of whom, named Mary, was blind. This daughter, he
said, lay nearer his heart whilst he was in prison, than all
the rest ; and that the thought of her enduring hardship
would be sometimes almost ready to break bis heart, but
that God greatly supported him by these two texts of
scripture, " Leave the fatherless children, I vyll preserve,
them alive; and let the widows trust in me. The Lord
said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verij^ I
will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in, the time of
evil." Jer. xlix. 1 1« and chap. xv. 11. His works are col-
lected in two volumes in folio, printed at London in 1736-7,
and reprinted in 1760, arid often since in various forms.
The con tin ua tor of his life, in the second of those volumes,
tells us, that. " he appeared in countenance to be of a
stern and rough temper, but in his conversation mild and
affable; not given to loquacity, or much discourse in com-
pany, unless some urgent occasion required it ; observing
never to boast of himself or his parts, but rather seem low
in his own eyes, and submit himself to the judgment of
others; abhorring lying and swearing; being just in all
that lay in his power to his word ; not seeking to revenge
injuries, loving to reconcile differences, and making friend-
ship with all. He had a sharp quick eye; accompanied
with an excellent discerning of persons, being of good
judgment and quick wit As for his person, he was tall of
stature, strong boned, though not corpulent : somewhat
of a ruddy face, with sparkling eyes, wearing his hair on
his upper lip, after the old British fashion ; his hair red-
dish, but in his latter days time had sprinkled it with gray;
his nose well-set, but not declining or bending, and his
mouth moderately large; his forehead something high,
and his habit always plain and modest."

Of all his works, the " Pilgrim's Progress" has attained
the greatest popularity, and greater than any other human
composition. It was remarked by the learned Dr. Samuel
Johnson, that the Pilgrim's Progress. has had the best evi-
dence of its merit, namely, the general and continued
approbation of mankind. No work of human composition

Vol. VII. U

^ i

290 B U N Y A N.

can certainly be compared with it in universality and ex-
tent of popularity. Besides having been translated into
several European languages, scarce a year has passed, since
its first appearance, in which the public has not called for
a new edition. For many years, however, this work was
confined to the serious part of the world for whom it was
intended, and was seldom noticed by others but as the
production of an illiterate man, calculated only to please
illiterate people : an objection which, if it had been just,
could not be said to militate very strongly against its merit.
However necessary learning may be to guard the outworks
of Christianity against the attacks of infidels, pure and
undefiled religion requires so little literature to inculcate
it in the case of others, or to receive it ourselves, that we
find it had no hand in the first promulgation of the gospel,
nor much in the various means that have been taken to
perpetuate it. But Bunyan's want of education is the
highest praise that can be. given. Such a defect exhibits
the originality of his genius in the strongest light? and
since more attention has been paid by men of critical taste
to his " Pilgrim's Progress,9' he has been admitted into
a higher rank among English writers, and it seems uni-
versally acknowledged that nothing was wanting to ad-
vance him yet higher but the advantages of education, or
of an intimacy with the best writers in his own language.
, Dr. Johnson, whose opinion has been already quoted in
part, conceived so high an opinion of the allegorical struc-
ture of the Pilgrim, that he thought Bunyan must have
read Spenser, and observes, as a remarkable circumstance,
that the Pilgrim's Progress begins very much like the poem
of Dante, although there was no translation of Dante when
Bunyan wrote. Dr. Beattie says that some of the allegories
in the Pilgrim are well conceived, and prove* the author to
have possessed powers of invention, which, if they had
been refined by learning, might have produced something
very noble. What learning might have done to Bunyan
we no more can tell than we can tell what it might have
done to Shakspeare ; but, in our opinion, Bunyan, with-
out its aid, has produced " something very noble," be-
cause he has produced a work the most perfect in its kind,
and which has baffled, and continues to baffle all attempts
at imitation. The elegant author, whom we have just
quoted, goes on to say " that the work has been imi*
toted, but with little success. The learned bishop Patrick

B U N Y A N. . 291

-wrote the c Parable of the Pilgrim/ but I am not satis-
fied that he borrowed the hint* as it is generally thought
he did, from John Bunyan. There is. no resemblance in
the plan, nor does the bishop speak a word of the Pil-
*grim's Progress, which I think, he would have done, if he
had seen it. Besides, Bunyan's fable is full of incident ;
Patrick's is dry, didactic, verbose, and exceedingly bar-
ren in the invention."

•. The rev. Mr. Granger, in his Biographical History of
•England, is yet more decided in his admiration of Bun-
yan's talents. — " Bunyan, who has been mentioned among
the least: and lowest of our writers, and even ridiculed as a
driveller by those who have never read him, deserves a
much higher rank than is commonly imagined. His ' Pil-
grim's ProgressVgives us a clear and distinct idea of Calvin-
istical divinity. The allegory is admirably carried on, and
the characters justly drawn and uniformly supported. This
author's original and poetic genius shines through the
coarseness and vulgarity of his language, and intimates
that if he had been a master of numbers, he might have
composed a poem worthy of Spenser himself. As this
opinion may be deemed paradoxical, I shall venture to
name two persons of eminence of the same sentiments :
one, the late Mr; JMerrick of Reading (who has been heard
to say in conversation, that Bunyan's invention was like
that of Homer) ; the other, Dr. Roberts, now (late) fellow
of Eton college."

These opinions of Bunyan will be found amply justified
by an impartial perusal of the work in question, except
with regard to what is said of " the coarseness and vul-
garity" of Bunyan's style, which is certainly very unjust.
His style, if compared with the writers of his age on sub-
jects of religion, and particularly, if his want of education
be taken into consideration, will suffer very little. On
the other hand, there is reason to suspect that, by some
of these critics, simplicity has been mistaken for vulgarity,
although we ape willing to allow that a few phrases might
be elevated in expression without injury to the sentiment.
But of what authc?r in the seventeenth century may not this
be said ? It ought also tote remembered that the " Pil-
. grim's Progress" was written while the author was suffering
• a long imprisonment, during which the only books to which
he had access were the Bible and Fox's Martyrology;
anil it is evident that the whole work is sprinkled over with

w 2

2§2 BUNYAN/

the phraseology of scripture, not only because it was that
in which he was most conversant, but that which was the
best adapted to his subject

Mr. Granger's opinion of the probable advancement he
might have made in poetry, has been opposed by the late
Dr. Kippis in the Biographia Britannica, but in a manner
which evinces that the learned doctor was a very incom-
petent judge. He says Bunyan " had the invention, but
not the other natural qualifications which are, necessary to
constitute a great poet." Now, we believe it is the uni-
versal opinion of all critics, since criticism was known, that
invention is the first qualification of a poet, and the only
one which can be called natural, all others depending upon
the state of refinement and education in the age the poet
happens to live. Hence it is that our early poets are in
general so exceedingly deficient in the graces of harmony,
and that many of our modern poets have little else. With
respect to Patrick's Pilgrim, mentioned above, it is ne-
cessary to observe that (besides its being doubtful which
was first published, Bunyan's or Patrick's) the question is
not, whether Bunyan might not have been preceded by
authors who have attempted something like the Pilgrim's
Progress: far less is it necessary to inquire, whether he
be entitled to the merit of being the first who endeavoured
to convey religious instruction in allegory. It is sufficient
praise that when his work appeared, ail others which re-
sembled it, or seemed to resemble it, became forgotten ;
and the palm of the highest merit was assigned to him by
universal consent. It was, therefore, to little purpose that
a small volume was lately published, entitled " Th& Isle of
Man, or the legal proceedings in Man-shire against Sin,"
by the rev. R. Bernard, from which Bunyan was " sup-
posed" to have taken the idea of his Pilgrim. Bunyan's
work so far transcends that and every similar attempt, that he
would have been very much to blame (allowing, what can-
not be proved, that he took the idea from Bernard) had he
not adopted a plan which he was qualified to execute with
such superior ability.

Of late years many imitations have been attempted, and
rnany rivals have appeared to Bunyan, but while candour
obliges us to allow, in some instances, the goodness of the
intention, and that they are written in a style which pro-
mises to be useful, it is at the same time justice to our
author to say, that they fall very short of his performance

BUNYAN. 2»S

jn almost every requisite : in simplicity, in the preserva-
tion of the allegorical characters, and in that regular and
uniform progress which conducts the hero through every
scene, and renders every scene and every episode subser-
vient to the main purpose. How well this has been exe-
cuted! the constant and increasing popularity of the " Pil-
grim's Progress" is sufficient to demonstrate. What pleases
all, and pleases long, must have extraordinary merit : and
that there is a peculiar fascination about the Pilgrim has
never been denied either by those who do not read to be
instructed, or who are averse to the author's religious
opinions. Of this latter, we have a striking instance in
dean Swift. In his celebrated Letter to a young Clergyman
he says, " I have been better entertained, and more in-
formed, by a few pages in the Pilgrim's Progress, than
by a long discourse upon the will, and the intellect, and
simple and complex ideas." It must be allowed to be no
small merit to have "fixed the attention of such a man as
Swift, and to have conciliated the esteem of men of critical
taste, on account of the powers of invention, and the ex-
ercise of a rich and fertile imagination.

It may be prpper here to remark, that there is a small
book, which has been often printed with it under the title
of a Third Part of the Pilgrim's Progress ; but the purpose
of our. making the. remark is to guard our readers against it
as a very gross imposition. The late rev. John Newton, b}'
a very happy figure, asserts that f a common bedgestake
deserves as much to be compared with Aaron's rod, which
yielded blossoms and almonds, as this poor performance to
be obtruded upon the world under the title of the " Third
Part of the Pilgrim's Progress." Besides that, this forgery
contradicts Bunyan's doctrines, it is evident that hi* plan
was completed in his Second Part, .' and that no addition
could have been made even by his own ingenious pen, that
wou^ld not have partaken of the nature of a repetition. It
remains to be noticed, that they who have read no other
production of Buny^n, have yet to learn the extent pf the
wonderful powers displayed in his various, works. Consi-
dering his narrow and confined education, we have been
almost, equally struck with the perspicuous and clear views
of his various theological .and practical treatises, as the
wQrfcs pf £ man gifted in a most uncommon degree. \

' Biog. Brit— Life by hinifceif. — Ath. Ox. vol. II. — &c.

». «. »»

S9* BUONAMICI.

BUONACCORSI. See PERINO DEL VAGA.

BUONACCORSI. See ESPERIENTE.

BUONAMICI (Castruccio), an Italian historian, was
born at Lucca in 1710, of a reputable family, and first em-
braced the ecclesiastical state. His studies being finished,
he went to Rome, and during a stay of some years in that
city, attracted the notice of the cardinal de Polignac, who
was desirous of gaining his attachment, but whom he re-
fused to accompany into France. Not meeting in the
church with the advantages he had promised himself, he
gave it tip, in order to bear arms in the service of the king
of the Two Sicilies, which, however, did not prevent his
devoting himself to the study of the belles-lettres. He
wrote in Latin the history of the war of Velletri in 1745,
between the Austrians and Neapolitans, in which he was
employed, under the title of " De rebus ad Velitras gestis
commentarius," 1746, 4to. This obtained him a pension
from the king of Naples, and the rank of commissary ge-
neral of artillery. But his most considerable work is the
history of the war in Italy, which appeared in 1750 and
1751, under this title, u Debelldltalicocommentarii," 4to,
in three books, for which he got the title of count to him-
self and hie descendants* These two histories are much
esteemed for the correctness of the narration and the purity
of the Latinity, and have been several times reprinted.
The count de Buonamici also composed a treatise " De
scientia militari," but which has not hitherto been publish-
ed. He died in 1761, at Lucca, the place of his nativity,
whither he was come for the benefit of his health. The
name dt Castrtrccio being very famous in the history of
Lucca, be adopted it on his going into the Neapolitan1 ser-
vice, instead of his baptismal name, which was Francis-
Joseph-Mary. His work on the war in Italy was trans-
lated into English, and published in 1753 at London by
A. Wishart, M. A. under the title of " Commentaries of
the late war in Italy," 8 vo. *

BUONARROTI (Michel Angelo), a most illustrious
painter^ sculptor, and architect, was born in the castle of
Caprese, in Tuscany* March -6, 1474, and descended from
the noble family of the counts of Canossa. At the time of
his birth, his father, Lodovico di Leonardo Buonarroti *Si-
xnone, was podesta, or governor of C&prese and Chiutfi,

* Diet* Hilt.— Saxii On<*i»st.

B U O NARROTL 295

and as be bad not risen above the superstitious belief in
astrological predictions, so common in that age, be was
probably pleased to bear that " his child would be a very
extraordinary genius." His biographers indeed go so far
as to tell us of a predictipn, that he would excel in paint?
ing, sculpture, and architecture. When of a proper age,
Michel Angelo was sent to a grammar-school at Florence,
where, whatever progress he might make in his books, he
contracted a fondness for drawing, which at first alarmed
the pride of his family, but his father at length perceiving
that it was hopeless to give his mind any other direction,
placed him under Domenico Ghirlanda'io, the most eminent
painter at that time in Florence, and one of the most cele-
brated in Italy. He was accordingly articled for three
years to Ghirlanda'io, from April 1488, but is said to have
reaped no benefit from his instructions, as his master soon
became jealous of his talents. He rapidly, however, sur-
passed his contemporary students, by the force of his ge-
nius, and his study of nature ; and adopted a style of draw-
ing and design more bold and daring than Ghirlandaio had
been accustomed to see practised in bis school ; and, from
an anecdote Vasa,ri tells, it would seem Michel Angelo
soon felt himself even superior to his master. One of the

Smpils copying a female portrait from a drawing by Ghir-
andaio, he took a pen and made a strong outline round it
on the same paper, to shew him its defects ; and the supe-
rior style of the contour was as much admired as the act
was considered confident and presumptuous. His great
facility in copying with accuracy whatever objects were
before him sometimes forced a compliment even from
Ghirlandaio himself.

When about this time Lorenzo de Medici established a
school for the advancement of sculpture, in a garden in
Florence, under the superintendence of Bertoldo, Lorenzo
requested Ghirlandaio to permit any of his scholars to
study there, who were desirous of drawing from the an-
tique, and from that time the Medici garden became the
favourite school of Michel Angelo. No sooner had he enter-
ed upon his studies here, than seeing a student modelling
some figures in clay, he felt an emulation to do the same ;
and Lorenzo, who frequently visited the gardens, observ-
ing his progress, encouraged him with expressions of ap-
probation. He was, not long after, desirous to try his
skill in marble, aad being particularly interested in a mut

296 BUONARROTI.

]g

tilated old head, or rather a mask representing a laughing
Faun, he chose it for his original. Although this was his
first essay in sculpture, he finished it in a few days, sup-
plying what was imperfect in the' original, and making
some other additions. Lorenzo visiting his garden as
usual, found Michel Angelo polishing his mask, and
thought it an extraordinary work for so young an artist ?
yet jestingly remarked, " You have restored to the old
Faun all his teeth, but don't you know that a man of such
an age has generally some wanting ?" Upon this observa-
tion, the moment Lorenzo departed, Michel Angelo broke
a tooth from the upper jaw, and drilled a hole in the gum
to represent its having fallen out.

To this little circumstance Michel Angelo, who was now
between fifteen and sixteen years old, owed the patronage
of Lorenzo, who adopted him into his family, provided
him with a room, and every accommodation in the palace,
treated him as his own son, and introduced him to men of
rank and genius. Among others he formed an intimacy
with Politiano, who resided under the same roof, and soon
became warmly attached' to his interests. At his recom-
mendation he executed a basso-relievo in marble, the sub-
ject of which was the battle of the Centaurs, of which it is
sufficient praise, that it stood approved in the riper judg-
ment of Michel Angelo himself, who, although not indul-
gent to his own productions, did not hesitate on seeing it,
even in the decline of life, to express his regret that he
had not entirely devoted himself to sculpture. In 1492,
death deprived him of the patronage of Lorenzo, which,
however, was in some measure continued to him by Lo-
renzo's successor, a man of corrupt and vitiated taste, of
whose discrimination in merit we have this notable proof
that he boasted of two extraordinary persofis in his house,
Michel Angelo, and a Spanish footman who could out -run
a hdrse. Michel Angelo, however, prosecuted his studies,
and produced some fine specimens of art, until the tran-
quillity of Florence was disturbed by the haughty and pu-
sillanimous conduct of his patron, Piero de Medici, when
he thought proper to retire to Bologna to avoid the im-
pending evils. Here he was invited into the house of Al-
dovrandi, a Bolognese gentleman, and one of the sixteen
Constituting the government, and during his stay executed
two statues in marble for the church of St. Domenico.
After remaining with this hospitable friend somewhat mora

BUONARROTI. 297

than a year, the affairs of Florence being tranquillized, he
returned home to his father's house, pursued his profes-
sion, and produced a statue of a sleeping Cupid, that ad-
vanced his reputation, but not without the aid of some
trick. He was advised by a friend to stain the marble so
as to give it the appearance of an antique, and in this
state it was sent to Rome to an agent who pretended to
have dug it up in a vineyard, and sold to cardinal St. Gior-
gio for two hundred ducats. What rendered this imposi-
tion unnecessary to Michel Angelo' s fame, was, that on
the discovery of the real artist, he received the most fiat*
tering praises, and was invited to Rome, as the proper
theatre for the exercise of his talents* At Rome he made
several statues, which placed him in an enviable rank
among his contemporaries, and a cartoon of St. Francis re-
ceiving the stigmata, painted in distemper for St. Pietro
in Montorio; and while he executed these commission*
both with credit and profit to himself, he was also indefa-
tigable by observation and study to improve and elevate
his style.

On the promotion of Pietro Soderini, to the rank of per-
petual gonfaloniere, or chief magistrate of Florence, Mi-
chel Angelo was advised to return thither, as Soderini had
the reputation of an encourager of genius, and he intro-
duced himself to his patronage by a colossal statue of
David, a figure in bronze, name unknown, and a groupe of
David and Goliath. At the same time, that he might not
entirely neglect the practice of painting, he painted a
holy family for one Angelo Doni, concerning which Vasari
relates the following anecdote. When the picture was
finished, it was sent home with a note requesting the pay-
ment of seventy ducats : Angelo Doni did not expect such
a charge, and told the messenger he would, give forty,
which he thought sufficient ; Michel Angelo immediately
sent back the servant, and demanded his picture, or an
hundred ducats : Angelo Doni, not liking to part with it,
returned the messenger, agreeing to pay the original sum,
but Michel Angelo, indignant at being haggled with, then
doubled his first demand, and Angelo Doni, still wishing .to
possess the picture, acceded, rather than try any further
experiment to abate his price.

That Michel Angelo might have an opportunity of add-
ing to his fame as a painter, the gonfaloniere commissioned
him to paint a large historical subject, to ornament the h^U

2£a BUONARROTI,

of the ducal .palace ; and as it was the honourable ambition
of Sode^ini to employ the talents of his country in the esta~
blishment of its fame, he engaged the abilities of Leonardo
da Vinci, at the same time, to execute a corresponding
picture to occupy the opposite side of the hall. An event
in the war between the Florentines and Pisans, was the
subject Michel Angelo chose, ahd that of Leonardo da
Vinci wa& a battle of cavalry. Michel Angelo's cartoon
Wfks the. most extraordinary work that had appeared since
the revival of the arts in Italy, but' as no part of it now re*
mains, an idea of it can be formed only from Vasari's ac-
count and description. Such was the excellence of this
work, that some thought it absolute perfection ; not to be
rivalled, and hopeless to be approached ; and certainly
some credit is due to this opinion, as from the time it was
placed in the papal hall, it was for many years constantly
visited by foreigners as well as natives, who, by studying
and drawing from it, became eminent masters. It requires
to be added, however, that the cartoon was all that was
finished ; from various causes, the picture itself was never
begun, and the cartoon, which was exhibited to students'
for their improvement, was by degrees mutilated and de~
stroyed, an irreparable injury to posterity.

On the accession of pope Julius II. a patron of genius
and learning,. Michel A ngelo was among the first invited
to bis court, and after some time the pope gave him an
unlimited commission to make a mausoleum. Having re*
ceived full powers, he commenced a design worthy of
himself and his patron. The plan was a parallelogram,
and the superstructure to consist of forty statues, many of
which were to be colossal, interspersed with ornamental
figures and bronze basso-relievos, besides the necessary
architecture, with appropriate decorations, to unite the
composition into one stupendous whole. When this
magnificent design was completed, it met with the popels
entire approbation, and Michel Angelo was desired
to go into St Peter's to see where it could be eonve-
niently placed. Michel Angelo fixed upon a particular
spot, but the church itself, now old, being considered
as ill-adapted for so superb a mausoleum, the pope, after
many consultations with architects, determined to rebuild
St. Peter's ; and this is the origin of that edifice which
took a hundred and fifty years to complete, and is now the
grandest display of architectural splendour that ornaments
the Christian world. To those, says his late excellent

BUONARROTI, MB

biographer, who are curious in tracing the remote cause*
of great events to their Source, Michel Angelo perhaps may
be found, though very unexpectedly, to have! thu* laid the
first ?tone of the reformation. His monument demanded
a building of corresponding magnificence; to prosecute
the undertaking money was wanting, and indulgences were
sold to supply the deficiency of the treasury. A monk of
Saxony (Luther) opposed the authority of the church, fend
this singular fatality attended the event, that whilst the
most splendid edifice which the world had ever seen was
building for the catholic faith, the religion to which it was
consecrated was shaken to the foundation.

The work was begun, but before it had proceeded far;
Michel Angelo met with some affront from the servants
of the papal palace, who were jealous of his favour with
the pope, and not being admitted to his holiness when he
came on business, set off from Rome for Florence. As
soon as this was known, couriers were dispatched after
him, but, as he had got beyond the pope's territories, they
could not use force, and only obtained of Michel Angelo
a letter to the pope explaining the cause of his departure.
But after some time, and the intercession of friends, Michel
Angelo consented to return to Rome, where, to his great dis-
appointment, ne found that the pope had changed his mind,
and instead of completing Ihe monument, had determined
to decorate with pictures the ceilings and walls of the Sis-
tine chapel, in honour of the memory of his uncle Sixtus IV.
The walls of this chapel were already ornamented with
historical paintings by various masters, but these were now
to be effaced, and the entire chapel to be painted by
Michel Angelo, so as to correspond in its parts, and make
one uniform whole. Michel Angelo was diffident of his
powers in freaco-p&inting, and recommended Raffaello,
but the pope was peremptory, and our artist obliged to
yield. He accordingly prepared the cartoons, and en-
deavoured to engage persons experienced in fresco*
painting, but being disappointed in the first specimen of
their abilities, he determined himself to try how far he
could overcome the difficulties which made it necessary
for him to seek their aid, .and succeeded in painting the
ceiling tQ the astonishment and admiration even of his
enemies. For the description of this stupendous monu-J
ment of human genius, we must refer to our authority,
but the circumstance not the least remarkable, was, that
the whole was completed in twenty months, and on All-

400 BUONARROTI

Saints-Day, 1512, the chapel was opened, and the pope
officiated at high mass to a crowded and admiring audience.
Michel Angelo next applied himself to make designs for
other pictures for the sides of the chapd, to complete the
original plan : but on Feb. 21, 1513, the pope died, and
to Michel Angelo his loss was not supplied. The old
paintings still remain on the walls of this chapel.

Julius II. was succeeded by the celebrated Leo X. who
professed the same warmth of attachment, and the same
zeal to promote the talents of Michel Angelo, But we
have already seen that the attachment of this great artist's
patrons was mixed with a degree of caprice which reduced
him often to a state of servitude. Michel Angelo had re-
ceived instructions to construct a monument for Julius II.
on a lesser scale than the mausoleum which we have already
mentioned. This Leo X. immediately interrupted, by in-
sisting on his going to Florence to build the facade of the
church of S. Lorenzo, which remained unfinished from the
time of his grandfather Cosmo de Medici, atod Michel
Angelo, after in vain pleading the engagement he was
under, was obliged to comply. Nor was this all. While
at Carrara, ordering the necessary marble, be received a
letter from Leo desiring him to go to Pietra Santa, where
his holiness had been told there was marble equal to' that
of Carrara. Michel Angelo obeyed, and reported that the
marble was of an inferior quality, and that thfere was 116
means of cbnveying it to Florence without making a road
of many miles to the sea, through mountains, and over
marshes, &c. The pope, however, flattered with the
prospect of procuring marble from a territory which he
could at any time call his own, ordered him to proceed,
the result of which was that the talents of this great man
were buried in those mountains, and his time consumed
during the whole reign of Leo X. (above eight years) in
little other, than raising stone out of a quarry, and making
a road to convey it to the sea. At the death of Leo the
fatjade of S. Lorenzo was not advanced beyond its founda-
tion, and the time of Michel Angelo had been consumed
in making a road, in seeing that five columns were made
at the quarry of Pietra Santa, in conducting them to the
sea-side, and in transporting one of them to Florence;
this employment, with occasionally making some models
in wax, and some trifling designs for the interior vf a room
in the Medici palace, appears to have been all the benefit

B U O N A R R O T L Ity

that was derived from his talent* during the whole of this
pontificate.

. During the pontificate of Adrian VI. who succeeded
Leo, the facade of S. Lorenzo was altogether laid aside,
and Michel Angelo endeavoured to resume his labours on
the monument of Julius II. for which the heirs of Julius
were impatient, and threatened to make the artist account
for the monies received in the pontificate of Julius. He
found a friend, however,, in the cardinal Giuliano de Me*
djci, who commissioned him to build a library and new
sacristy to the church of S. Lorenzo, to serve as a mauso*
leum for the Medici family; and also to execute monu-
ments to. the memory of the dukes Giuliano and Lorenzo,
to be placed in it ; and these works took up the whole of
Michel Angela's attention during the short pontificate of
Adrian VI, which lasted only twenty months, ending Sept
14, 1523. During the first part of the pontificate of his
successor Clement VII. formerly Giuliano de Medici, Michel
Angelo went on with the chapel and library of S. Lorenzo,
which, Giuliano bad ordered, and executed a statue of
Christ, of the size of nature, to be placed on an altar in
the church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, at Rome, and
which is still in that church, but on a pedestal at the en*
trance of the choir. During the wars which succeeded,
we find him employing his talents on works of fortification
at Florence, when besieged by the prince of Orange, but
Rearing of some treacherous plans to undermine the re**
public, he withdrew secretly to Ferrara, and thence to
Venice. Being, however, solicited by persons high in .
office not to abandon the post committed to his charge, he
returned, and v resumed his. situation, until the city sur-
rendered to the pope, when he was obliged to secrete him-
self in an obscure retreat. The pope having by a public
manifesto given him assurances, that if he would discover
himself he should not be molested, on condition that he
vvould furnish the two monuments in St. Lorenzo, already
begun, Michel Angelo, on this, with little respect for
the. persons his . genius was to commemorate, and with less
affection for his employer, hastened to complete his la-
boqr; not with any ardour of sentiment, but as a task
which was the price of his liberty.

Tranquillity being restored in Italy, Michel Angelo
was again called. upon by the duke of Urbino, to complete
tjie pionijnient of Julius II. agreeable to the last design,

302 B U O N AH R O T I.

and .was again interrupted by the pope, who wished
to employ him at Florence, and afterwards ordered ; him
to paint the two end walls of the Sistine chapel. Our
artist being unable openly to oppose the will of the
pope, procrastinated the work as much as possible, and
while he was engaged in making a cavtoon for the chapel,
secretly employed as much of his time as circumstances
would allow, in forwarding the monument to Julius II.
-But this wots again interrupted by the next pope, Paul III.
although at length, after much toegociation, and after
changing the design three times, he was permitted to
complete his task, which was placed, not in St. Peter's,
as originally intended, but in the church of S. Pietro, in
iVincolh •

As. there now remained no objection to Michel Angelo's
devoting his- time to the service of the pope, he commenced
painting the great work of the Last Judgment, in the
Sistine chapel, which was'finished it> 1541, and the chapel
opened >on Christmas day. Persons are described to have
come from the most distant parts of Italy to see it, and
the. public and the court were rivals in admiration, which
must have been peculiarly grateful to Michel Angelo, not
enly from that pleasure common to all men who are con-
scious of deserving well, and having those claims allowed,
but in succeeding to give the pope Paul III. entire satis-
faction, who, in the first year of his pontificate, liberally
provided him with a pension for his life of six hundred
pounds a year, to enable him. to prosecute the undertaking
to his own satisfaction.

Near to the Sistine chapel, in the Vatican, Antonio de
San Gallo built another by thV order of Paul III. which is
called after its founder the Paoline chapel, and the pope
being solicitous to render it more honourable to bis name,
desired Michel Angelo would paint the walls in fresco.
Although he now began to feel he was an old man, he un-
dertook the commission, and on the sides opposite to each
other painted two large pictures, representing the martyr-
dom of St. Peter, and the conversion of St. Paul. These
pictures, he said, cost him great fatigue, and in their
progress declared himself sorry to find fresco painting was
not an employment for his years ; he therefore petitioned
his holiness that Per in o del Vaga might finish the ceiling
from his designs, which was to have been decorated with
painting and stucco ornaments; but this part of the work
was not afterwards carried into execution.

BUONARROTI. v 308

i

The pope often consulted Michel Angelo as an architect,
although Antonio de San Gallo was the architect of St.
Peter's church, and promoted to that situation by his irt-
terest when cardinal Farnese, and now employed in his
private concerns. The Farnese palace in Rome was de-
signed by San Gallo, and the building advanced by him
during his life ; yet Michel Angelo constructed the bold
projecting cornice that surrounds the top, in conjunction
with him, at the express desire of the pope. He also con-
sulted Michel Angelo in fortifying the Borgo* and made
designs for that purpose ; but the discussion of this subject
proved the cause of some enmity between these two rivals
in the pope's esteem. In 1546 San Gallo died, and Mi-
chel Angelo was called upon to fill his situation as archi-
tect of St. Peter's : he at first declined that honour, but
his holiness laid his commands upon him, which admitted
.neither of apology nor excuse ; however he accepted the
appointment upon those conditions, that he would receive
no salary, and that it should be so expressed in the patent,
as he undertook the office purely from devotional feelings;
and that, as hitherto the various persons employed in all
the subordinate situations had only considered their -own
interest to the extreme prejudice of the undertaking, < he
should be empowered to discharge them, and appoint
others in their stead ; and lastly, that he should be per-
mitted to make whatever alterations he chose in San Gallo's
. design, or entirely supply its place with what he might
consider more simple, or in a better style. To these con-
dition's his holiness acceded, and the patent was made out
accordingly.

San Gallo's model being more conformable to the prin-
ciples of Saracenic than of Grecian or Roman architecture
in the multiplicity and division of its parts, Michel Angelo
made an original design upon a reduced scale, on the plan
of a Greek cross, which met with the pope's approbation ;
ibr, although the dimensions were less, the form was more
grand than that of San Gallo's model. Having commenced
•his. labours on this edifice, it advanced with considerable
activity, and before the end of the pontificate of Paul III.
began to assume its general form and character. This, how-
ever, was only a part of his extensive engagements.. He was
. commissioned to carry on the building of the Farnese palace,
left unfinished by the death of San Gallo ; and employed to
build a palace on the Capitoline-hill for the senator of
Rome, two galleries for the reception of sculpture and

304 BUONARROTI,

pictures, and also to ornament this celebrated site with
antique statues and relics of antiquity, from time to tinie
dug up and discovered in Rome and its environs.

As in proceeding with St. Peter's, he had, agreeably to
his patent, chosen his own workmen, and dismissed others,
the latter seldom failed of exerting such malice against
him as they could display with impunity ; and being exas-
perated by disappointments, they endeavoured to repre-
sent him as an unworthy successor of San Gallo, and upon
the death of Paul III. an effort was made to remove him
from his situation, but Julius III. who succeeded to the
pontificate, was not less favourably disposed towards him
than his predecessor; however, they presented a memorial,
petitioning the pope to hold a committee of architects in
St Peter's at Rome, to convince his holiness that their
accusations* and complaints were not unfounded. At the
head of this party was cardinal Saiviati, nephew to Leo X,
and cardinal Marcello Cervino, who was afterwards pope
by the title of Marcellus II. Julius agreed to the investi-
gation, and the parties appeared in his presence. The
complainants stated, that the church wanted light, and the
architects had previously furnished the two cardinals with
a. particular example to prove the basis of the general po*
sition, which was, that he had walled up a recess for three,
chapels, and made only three insufficient windows ; upon
which the pope asked Michel Angelo to give his reasons
for having done so ; he replied, " I should wish first to
hear the deputies." Cardinal Marcello immediately said
for himself and cardinal Saiviati, " We ourselves are the
deputies." Then said Michel Angelo, " In the part of
the church alluded to, over those windows are to be placed
three others." " You never said that before," replied
the cardinal ; to which he answered with some warmth :
" I am not, neither will I ever be obliged to tell your
eminence, or any one else, what I ought or am disposed '
to do ; it is your office to see that the money be provided,
to take care of the thieves, and to leave the building of St.
Peter's to me," Turning to the pope, " Holy father, you
see what I gain ; if these machinations to which I am ex-
posed are not for my spiritual welfare, I lose both my
labour and my time." The pope replied, putting his
hands upon his shoulders, " Do not doubt, your gain is
now, and will be hereafter;" and at the same time gave
him assurance of his confidence and esteem.

6 U O N A R R O T I. SOS

.Julius prosecuted no work in architecture'or sculpture
without consulting him. What was done in the Vatican,

1 or in hts villa on the Flaminian way, was with Michel An-
gelo* s advice and superintendance. He was employed also
to rebuild a bridge across the Tiber, but as his enemies
artfully pretended to commiserate his advanced age, he so
far fell into this new snare as to leave the bridge to be
completed by an inferior artist, and in five years it was
washed away by a flood, as Michel Angelo had prophe-
sied. In 1555 his friend and patron pope Julius died,.

' and perhaps it would have been happier for Michel Angelo
if they had ended their days together, for he was now
eighty-one years old, and the remainder of his life was
interrupted by the caprices of four successive popes, and
the intrigues under their pontificates. Under all these
vexations, however, he went* on by degrees with his great
undertaking, and furnished designs for various inferior
works, but his enemies were still restless. He now saw
that his greatest crime was that of having lived too long ;
and being thoroughly disgusted with the cabals, he was
solicitous to resign, that his last days might not be tor-
mented by the unprincipled exertions of a worthless fac-
tion. That he did not complain from the mere peevishness
of age will appear from a statement of the last effort of
his enemies, the most formidable of whom were the di-
rectors of the building. Their object was to make Nanni
Biggio the chief architect, which they carefully concealed,
and 'the bishop of Ferratino, who was a principal director,
began the contrivance by recommending to Michel Angelo
not to attend to the fatigue of his duty, owing to his ad-
vanced age, but to nominate whomever he chose to supply
bis place. By this contrivance Michel Angelo willingly
yielded to so courteous a proposition, and appointed Da-
niello da Volterra. As soon as this was effected, it was
roade the basis of accusation against him, for incapacity,
which left the directors the power of choosing a successor,
and they immediately superseded da Volterra, by ap-
pointing Biggio in his stead. This was so palpable a trick,
so untrue in principle, and so injurious in its tendency,
that in justice to himself, he thought it necessary to re-
present it to the pope, at the same time requesting that
it plight be understood there was nothing he more solicited
than his dismission. His holiness took up the discussion
with interest, and begged he would* not recede until he
Vol, VII. X *

L

SO* BUONARROTI.

bad made proper inquiry, and a day was immediately ap-
pointed for the directors to meet him. They only stated
in general terms, that Michel Angelo was ruining the
building, and that the measures they bad taken were esr
sentially necessary, but the pope previously sent Sighor
Gabrio Serbelloni to examine minutely into the affair,
who was a man well qualified for that purpose. Upon tbi?
occasion he gave his testimony so circumstantially, that the
whole scheme was shown in one view to originate in false*
hood, and to have been fostered by malignity. Biggio
was dismissed and reprimanded, and the directors apolo<r
gized, acknowledging, they had been misinformed, but
Michel Angelo required no apology ; all he desired was,
that the pope should know the truth ; and he would hav4
now resigned, had not his holiness prevailed upon him to
bold his situation, and made a new arrangement, that hi?.
designs might not only be strictly executed as long as be
Jived, but adhered to after his death.

After tins discussion, the time left to Michel Angelo for
the enjoyment of his uncontrolled authority was $hptf,
for in the month of February 1£63, he was attacked by a
slow fever, which exhibited symptoms, of bis approacbiog
death, and he desired Daniello da Volterra to write to, hi*
nephew Leonardo Buonarroti to come to Rome ; his fever,
however, increased, and his nephew not arriving, in tb^-
presence of his physician and others who were in his house*,
whom, he ordered into his bed-room, be made this. shoi$
nuncupative will: " My soul I resign to God, my body to
the earth, and my worldly possessions, to my nearest of
kin '" then admonished bis attendants : " In your passage
through this life, remember the sufferings of Jesus Christ,"
and soon after delivering this charge, he died, Feb* 17,
1563, aged eighty-eight years, eleven months, and fifteen
days, which yet was not the life of his father, who attained
the age of ninety-two. Thr$e days after his death, hie
remains were deposited with great funeral pomp in the
church of S. Apostoli, in Rome, but afterwards, at th«.
request of the Florentine academy, were removed to th$
church of Santa Croce at Florence, and again with gr.efl*
Solemnity finally deposited in the vault by the side qf the
altar, called the Altarede Cavalcanti.

The merits of Michel Angelo, as an artist, have been s<*
frequently the object of discussion, that it would be in*-..
possible to examine or analyse the various opinion* that.

BUONARROTI 307

bavfc been published, without extending this article to an
immoderate length. ' Referring, therefore, to our authori*
ties, and especially to Mr. Duppa's elaborate " Life of
Michel Angeio," which we have followed in the preceding
sketch, we shall present the following outline from Mr.
Fuseli, and conclude with some interesting circumstances
in the personal history of this great artist : " Sublimity of
conception," says Mr, Fuseli, " grandeur of form, and
breadth of manuer, are the elements of Michel Angeio'*
style ; by these principles he selected or rejected the ob-
jects of imitation. As painter, as sculptor, as architect,
he attempted, and above any other man succeeded, to
unite magnificence of plan, and endless variety of subor*
dinslte parts, with the utmost simplicity and breadth. His
line is uniformly grand. Character and beauty were ad*
mitted only as far as they could be made subservient to
grandeur. The child, the female, meanness, deformity,,
were by him indiscriminately stamped with grandeur. A
beggar rose from his hand the patriarch of poverty ; the
hump of his dwarf is impressed with dignity ; his women
are moulds of generation ; bis infants teem with the man ;
bis men are a race of giants. This is the ' Terribil Via*
hinted at by Agostino Carracci. To give the most perfect
ease to the most perplexing difficulty, was the exclusive
power of Michel Aogelo. He is the inventor of epic
painting in the sublime compartments of the Sistine chapel*
Be has personified motion in the groupes of the Cartoon
of Pisa ; embodied sentiment on the monuments of St. Lo-
renzo; unravelled the features of meditation in his Pro*
pbets and Sibyls ; and, in the Last Judgment, with every
attitude that varies the human body, traced the master-
trait of every passion that sways the human heart Neither
as painter or sculptor he ever submitted to copy an indi-
vidual, Julio II. only excepted, and in him he represented
the reigning passion rather than the man. In painting he
contented himself with a negative colour, and, as the
painter of mankind, rejected all meretricious ornament;
The fabric of St. Peter's, scattered into infinity of jarring
parts by his predecessors, he concentrated, suspended the
cupola, and to the most complex gave the air of the most
simple of edifices. Such, take him all in all, was Michel
Angeio, the salt of art; sometimes he, no doubt, .had
moments, fcnd perhaps periods of dereliction, deviated into
Mariner, or perplexed the grandeur of his forms with futila

x 2

503 BUONARHOTL

and ostentatious anatomy ; both met with herds of copyists,
and it has been his fate to have been and still to be cen-
sured for their folly."

Michel Angelo was of the middle stature, bony -in his
make, and rather spare, although broad over the shoulders;
He had a good complexion ; his forehead was square, and
somewhat projecting ; his eyes rather small, of a hazel co-
lour, and on his brows but little hair ; his nose was flat,
being disfigured from a Wow he received when young from
Torrigiano, a fellow student ; his lips were thin, and speak-
ing anatomically, the cranium on the whole was rather,
large in proportion to the face. He wore his beard, which
was divided into two points at the bottom, not very thicfy
and about four inches long; his beard and the hair of his
head were black when a young man, and his countenance
animated and expressive. >

r In his childhood he was of a weakly constitution, and
to guard his health with peculiar care, be was abstemious
and continent ; he seldom partook of the enjoyments of the
table, and was used to say, " however rich I may have
been, I have always lived as a poor man*' Although he
ate little, he was extremely irregular in his meals ; he had
a bad digestion, and was much troubled with the head-ach,
which he attributed to his requiring little sleep, and the
delicate state of his stomach : notwithstanding these evils;
during the- meridian of life his general health was but little
impaired. Many years before his death he was afflicted
with stone and gravel, and when advanced in years, with
the cramp in his legs.

In the early part of life, he not only applied himself to
sculpture and painting, but to every branch of knowledge
connected in any way with those arts, and gave himself up
so much to application, that he in a great degree withdrew
from society. From this disposition he became habituated
to solitude, and, happy in his pursuits, he was more con-
tented to be alone than in company, by which he obtained
the character of being a proud and an odd man. When!
his mind was matured, he attached himself to men of learn-
ing and judgment, and in the number of his most intimate
friends were ranked the highest dignitaries in the church,
and the most eminent literary characters of his time.
Among the authors he studied and delighted in most, were
Dante and Petrarch ; of these it is said he could nearly re-
peat ail their poems, and many of his sonnets (now re^

BUONARHOT V 3^

printed in his life by Mr. Duppa) shew how much he de-'
sired to imitate the poet of Vaucluse. He also1 studied
with equal attention the sacred writings of the Old and
New Testament. His acquirements in anatomy are mani-
fest throughout his works, and he often proposed to publish'
a treatise upon that subject for t\\e use of painters and'
sculptors; principally to shew what muscles were brought
into action in the various motions of the human body, and
was only prevented, from fearing lest he should not be able-
to express himself so clearly and fully as the nature of the
subject required. — Of perspective he knew as much as was
fcnown in the age in which he lived ; but this branch of
knowledge was not then reduced to a science, nor govern-'
?d by mathematical principles.

The love of wealth made no part of Michel Angelo's
character ; he was in no instance covetous of money, nor
attentive to its accumulation. When he was offered com-
missions from the rich with large sums, he rarely accepted
them, being more stimulated by friendship and benevolence
than the desire of gain. He was also liberal, and freely
assisted literary men as well as those of his own profession,
who stood In need of his' aid. He had a great love for his
art, and a laudable desire to perpetuate his name. A
friend of his regretted that he had no children to bequeath
the profits acquired by his profession, to which he answered,
" My works must supply, their place ; and if they are good
for any thing, they must live hereafter," He established it
as a principle, that to live in credit was enough, if life was
.virtuously and honourably employed for the good of others
and the benefit of posterity ; and thus he laid up the most
profitable treasure for his old age, and calculated upon its
best resources.

Michel Angelo was never married, and whether he
was at any time on the point of being so, is not known : that
he was a man of domestic habits is certain, and he pos-
sessed ardent and affectionate feelings. Although love is
the principal subject which pervades his poetry, and Pe-
trarch the sole object of his imitation, no mention is made
pf his Laura, his Stella, or Eliza ; her name is concealed if
she had any ; but the prevalency in his day of consolidating
,all personal feeling into Platonism, and a species of unin-
telligible metaphysics, may probably have given birth to
ftkO$t of his sonnets,

Jn his professional labours he continued to study to the

510 BUONARROTI.

end of bis life, bat neter was satisfied with any thing he
did : when he saw any imperfection that might have been
avoided, he easily became disgusted, rather preferring to
commence bis undertaking entirely anew than attempt an
emendation. With this operating principle in his mind he
completed few works in sculpture. Lomazzo tells an
anecdote, that cardinal Farnese one day found Michel An-
gelo, when an old man, walking alone in the Colosseum,
and expressed his surprize at finding him solitary amidst
the ruins ; to which he replied, " I yet go to school that I
may continue to learn something.9' Whether the anecdote
be correctly true or not, it is evident he entertained this
feeling, for there is still remaining a design by him, of an
old man with a long beard in a child's go-cart, and an
hour-glass before him ; emblematical of the last stage of
life, and on a scroll over his head, Anchora Inparo, de-
noting that no state of bodily decay or approximation to
death was incompatible with intellectual improvement. An
outline of this, as well as of many of the principal works of
Michel Angelo, is given in his Life by Mr. Duppa, who
concludes the best and most ample account of any artist
in our language, with remarking that although Michel An*
gelo's highTminded philosophy made him often regardless
of rank and dignity, and his knowledge of human nature
in one view concentrated the plausible motives and the
Inconsistent professions of men, yet he was not morose in
his disposition, nor cynical in his habits. Those who knew.
him well esteemed him most, and those who were worthy
of his friendship knew how to value it. The worthless
flatterers of powerful ignorance, and the cunning, who at
all times trust to the pervading influence of folly, feared
and hated him. He was impetuous in the highest degree
when he felt the slightest attack upon his integrity, and
hasty in his decisions, which gave him an air of irascibility;
but to all who were in need of assistance from his fortune
or his talents he exercised a princely liberality ; and to
those of honourable worth, however low their station, he
was kind and benevolent, he sympathized with their dis*
tresses, nor ever refused assistance to lessen the weight
of oppression. In the catholic faith of his ancestors he
was a sincere Christian, and enjoyed its beneficent in-
fluence : he was not theoretically one man, and practically
another ; nor was his piety ever subservient to caprice or

B U R A N A, 3.U

personal convenience ; his religion was not a? a staff hi
leaned upon, but the prop by which he was supported. l

BURANA (John Francis), a native of Verona, who
flourished in the sixteenth century, was disciple to Bago-
linus, who explained Aristotle's Logic in the university of
Bologna. Burana shewed great subtlety in his disputations^
which made the scholars very desirous of hearing him read,
public lectures on this part of philosophy, which he did,
illustrating his subject from the Greek and Arabian inter*
preters. H.e had studied Hebrew with great success. Hav-
ing quitted his profession, he applied himself to the prac-
tice of physic. He also undertook to translate some trea-
tises of Aristotle and of Averr/>ea, and to write commen-
taries on them ; but death hindered him from finishing
this work. He desired however that it might be printed,
and charged his heirs to publish it, after his manuscript
had been corrected by some learned man. Bagolinus un-
dertook that task, and published the work under the title
of u Aristotelis Priora resolutoria, &c." Paris, 1539, folio!
Bayle seems to think there was a prior edition printed
at Venice j but by Moreri we find that the Paris edition
was of 1533, and that of Venice of the date above men-
tioned.*

BURCHIELLO, an Italian poet, was better known
under this name than by that of Dominico, which was *his
true one. Authors differ concerning his country and the
time of his birth. The opinion most followed is that he
was born at Florence about 1380. As to the epocha of his
death, it seems more certain : he died at Rome in 1448.
This poet was a barber at Florence, and his shop the com-
mon rendezvous of all the literati of that town. His poems,
which mostly consist of sonnets, and often very freely
written, are of the comic and burlesque species ; but s6
truly original, that some poets who camfc after him have
endeavoured to imitate him by composing verses alia Bur-
chiellesca. They are however full of obscurities and
cenigmas. Some writers have taken the pains to make
comments on them, and, among others, le Doni ; but the
commentary is scarcely less obscure than the text. Bur-
chiello nevertheless holds . a distinguished place among

1 Life and Literary Works of M. A. Buonarroti by R. Duppa, 1806, 4to.— .
See also Heads from Michel Angelo, by tbe same author, atlas folio.— Fuseli's.
edition of Piikington. — Sir Joshua Reynolds's Works. See index.
' * Gen* t>ict. — Moreri.

312 B U Jl C H IE L L O.

the Italian poets of the satirical class. He may be cen-
surable for not having had sufficient respect for good man-
ners ; but the licence of this poetical barber was much in .
the general taste of the times. The best editions of his
poems are those of Florence, 1552 and 1568, Svo. His
sonnets were printed for the first time at^ Venice, 1475, 4to.1
BURE (William Fkancls de), an eminent bookseller at
"Paris, is well known to the learned throughout Europe for
the able assistance he has afforded to the study of biblio-
graphy. Of his personal history very little is related by
his countrymen, unless that he was a man of high character
in trade ; and, as appears from his works, more intimately-
acquainted with the history of books and editions than per-*
haps any man of his time in any country.. He died July
15, 1782. He first published bis " Museum Typographic
cum," Paris, 1755, 12 mo, a small edition of only twelve
copies, which he gave away among his friends. It was
published under the name of G. F. Rebude, and according
to the Diet. Hist, was repriuted in 1775. Afterwards ap-
peared the u Bibliographic Instructive,'* 1763 — 68, 7 vols.
8vo, succeeded by a small volume of a catalogue of the
anonymous publications, and an "Essay upon Biblio-
graphy." The merits of this work are universally acknow*
ledged. The abb6 Rive having attacked this work with
considerable asperity, De Bure replied in " Appeiaux Sa-«
vans," 1763, 8vo, and " Reponse a une Critique de la
Bibliographic Instructive," 1763, 8vo. In 1769 he pub-
lished the catalogue of Gaignat's library, 2 vols. 8vo, which
completely established his reputation as a bibliographer.
He was succeeded in these labours by his cousin William,
who, with Mons. Van Praet, prepared the catalogue of the
duke de la Valliere's library in 1783, and published other
valuable catalogues as late as the year 1801. 2

BURETTE (Peter Jqhn), born at Paris in 1665, was
the son of a surgeon, who, not being very prosperous in
his practice, had recourse for his support to music j and
first performed, professionally, at Lyons ; and afterwards
went to Paris and played on ths harp to Louis XIV. who
was much pleased with his performance. His son, Peter
John, was so sickly and feeble during infancy, that he
passed almost his whole youth in amusing himself on the
spinet, and in the study of music ; but he had so strong a

i Diet. Hist. — Roscoe's Lorenzo. — Ginguen6 Hist Lit. cTJtalie, vol. III. j>, 481^
f Diet. Hist.— Dibdin's Bibliomauia.

B U RE T T E; SIS

passion for this instrument, jthat he had scarcely arrived
at his ninth year when he was heard at court, accom-
panied by his father on the harp. Two years after, the
king heard him again, when he performed a duet with
his father on the harp, and at eleven years of age he
assisted him in giving lessons to his scholars. His taste
for music, however, did not extinguish his passion for
other sciences. He taught himself Latin and Greek with
little assistance from others ; and the study of these lan-
guages inclined him to medical inquiries. - At eighteen
years old he attended, for the first time, the public schools,
went through a coarse of philosophy, and took Jessons in
the schools of medicine. And even during this time he
learned Hebrew, Syriac, Arabic, Italian, Spanish, Ger-
man, and English, sufficiently to understand them in
books. He was at length admitted of the faculty at Paris,
and practised with reputation during thirty-three years.
Jin 1705, he was received into the academy of belles-
lettres, and in 1706 he had a considerable share in the
{mblication of the " Journal dep S<javans,7 at which he
aboured more than thirty years. In 1718, he had an ap±
poiutment in the royal library. The public are obliged to
the abb£ Fraguier for the learned dissertation which Mi
Burette produced on the music of the ancients. This
learned abb6, supposing that the Greeks applied the same
sense to the word harmony, as is given to it by the mo-
derns, and that, consequently, they knew counterpoint,
or music in parts, Burette proved that he was mistaken,
and that the ancients meant no more by the term harmony,
than we do by proportion. He demonstrated, that the
Greeks practised no other simultaneous consonances than
unisons and octaves. This learned and indefatigable in-
quirer after the music of the ancient Greeks, was seized^
in 1745, with a paralytic affection, and after languishing
during during the whole year 1746, he died in 1747, at
eighty-two. His library, consisting of 15,000 volumes,
was. composed of the most curious and well-chosen books
that could be procured in all languages. He has supplied
the Meraoires of the Acad, des inscrip. et belles-lettres
4 with dissertations on the dancing of the ancients, on play
pr gaming, on single combat, and on horse-racing, and
pnriched these memoirs with a translation of Plutarch's
treatise on music, with notes and remarks. He must be
ftttoWed, on every subject concerning ancient music, the

$14 BURETTE.

toerit of great diligence and learning ; but be does not
seem always to bave been possessed of an equal share of
sagacity, or with courage sufficient to confess himself un-
able to explain inexplicable passages in bis author. He
never sees a difficulty ; be explains all. Hence, amidst
great erudition, and knowledge of antiquity, there are
a thousand unintelligible Explanations in bis notes upon
Plutarch.1

BURGER (Goi>fred Augustus), a German poet of
considerable celebrity in his own country, and known in
this by several translations of one of his terrific tales, was
born in 1748, at Wolmersweade, in the principality of Hal-
berstadt. His father was a Lutheran minister, and appears
to bave given him a pious domestic education ; but to school
or university studies young Burger had an insuperable
aversion, and much of his life was consumed in idleness
and dissipation, varied by some occasional starts of in*
dustry, which produced his poetical miscellanies, prin-
cipally ballads, that soon became very popular from the
simplicity of the composition. In the choice of his sub*
Jects*. likewise, which were legendary tales and traditions,
wild, terrific, and grossly improbable, he had the felicity
to hit the taste of his countrymen. His attention was also
directed to Sbakspeare And our old English ballads, and
he translated many of the latter into German with consider-*
able effect. His chief employment, or that from which he
derived most emolument, was in writing for the German
Almanack of the Muses, and afterwards the German Mu-
saeum. In 1787 he lectured on the critical philosophy of
Kant, and in 1789 was appointed professor of belles-lettres
in the university of Gottiiigen. He married three wives,
the second the sister of the first, and the third a lady who
courted him in poetry, but from whom, after three years
cohabitation, he obtained a divorce. Her misconduct is
said to have contributed to shorten his days. He died in
June 1794. His works were collected and published by
Reinhard, in 1798' — 99, 4 vols. 8vo, with a life, in which
there is little of personal history that can be read with
pleasure. Immorality seems to bave accompanied him the
greater part of his course, but be was undoubtedly a man
of genius, although seldom under the controul of judg-
ment. His celebrated ballad of " Leonora.' y was translated

> Moreii.— Burney a«d Hawkinf's Hitt of Mosic— Reee's Cyclop©*!**

B U E GEL 311

into 'English in 1796, by five or six different poets, and
for some time pleased by its wild and extravagant horrors ;
and in 1798, his " Wild Huntsman'* Chase" appeared in
an English dress; but Burger's style has obtained, perhaps*
more imitators than admirers, among the former of whom
may be ranked some caricaturists. 1
-. BURGESS (Anthony), a Nonconformist clergyman!
was the son of a schoolmaster at Watford, in Hertfordshire,
and educated at St. John's college, Cambridge. He af-
terwards became a fellow of Emanuel college, and took
his master's degree. He obtained the living of Sutton*
Col field, in Warwickshire, in 1635, by the death of the
rev. John Burgess, but no relation. He was afterwards
one of the assembly of divines, and although inclined to
conformity before the rebellion, acquired such opinions OH
the subject as induced him to submit to ejectment after
the restoration. Dr. H»cket, bishop of Lichfield and
Coventry, who had a high opinion of his learning, and
said he was fit for a professor's chair in the university, en*
deavoured by every argument to retain him in the church)
but in vain, although Mr. Burgess went to the parish
church of Tamworth, where he spent the remainder of his
days, and lived in cordiality with the incumbent. At what
time he died, is not mentioned. The celebrated Dr. John
Wallis was his pupil, and says he was " a pious, learned*
and able scholar, a good disputant, a good tutor, an emi-
nent preacher, and a sound and orthodox divine/' (See
Hearne's Langtoft, publisher's appendix to his preface;
p. cxlviii). His principal works are: 1. " Spiritual Re-
finings ; or a Treatise of Grace and Assurance," 1658, fol.
2. " Sermons on John xvii." fol. 1656. 3. " The Doc-
trine of Original Sin," 1659, fol. 4. u Commentary on
the 1. and 2. of Corinthians," 1661, 2 vols. fol. with some
smaller tracts, and several sermons before the long parlia*
ment. *

BURGESS (Cornelias), D. D. another Nonconform*
ist, but of a very different stamp, was descended from the
Burgesses of Batcomb, in Somersetshire. In 1611 he was
entered at Oxford, but in what college i? uncertain. He
translated himself, however, to Wadham, and afterwards
to Lincoln. When he took orders, he had the rectory of
St; Magnus, London-bridge, the date of which promotion

. i life published wilfc Works. * Calamy.

»1« BUR G E S S.

i

is not mentioned, and the living of Watford, in Hertford-
shire, in 1618. In the beginning of Charies the First's
reign he became one*of. his chaplains rn ordinary, and in
J 627 took both degrees in divinity, at which time Dr.
Prideaux, . the regius professor, told him he was a sorry
disputant, but might make a good preacher. At this time
§md for several years after he was a zealous friend to the
church of England, but either from being disappointed itt
certain expected preferments, as Wood insinuates, or from
being vexed, as Calamy says, for opposing archbishop
Laud's party, he became a powerful advocate for the prin-
ciples which soon overthrew church and state; and parti-
cularly directed his attacks against the revenues of deans
and chapters, and bishops. He procured, however, that
St. Paul's cathedral might be opened, and himself* ap-
pointed lecturer there, with a salary of 400Z. and the dean's
house to reside in. Enriched by this and. similar advan-
tages, he not only purchased church lands, hut even
wrote a book in vindication of such purchases.. On the
restoration, however, he lost all this plunder, to the amount
of many thousand pounds, and died in extreme poverty,
June 9, 1665. Calamy, his continuator, and Mr. Neal,
fe*d great, difficulty in refuting Wood's account of this
Dr. Burgess. Their strongest plea is, that he was against
the king's murder, and drew up the paper signed by the
London ministers to prevent that act. At his death, al-
though he had been obliged from poverty to dispose of his
Jibrary, he left some curious editions of the Prayer-book
to the university of Oxford. He wrote some devotional
tracts, enumerated by Calamy, and several of the contro-
versial kind. J

, BURGESS (Daniel), a dissenting divine of the seven-
teenth and .eighteenth centuries, a wit himself, and "the
cause of wit in other men," particularly dean Swift and
his contemporaries, was born in 1645 at Staines in Mid-
dlesex, where his father then was minister, but was after-
wards, at the restoration, ejected for nonconformity from
the living of ColUngbourne Ducis, in Wiltshire. Daniel
was educated at Westminster school, and in 1660 went to
Magdalen-hall, Oxford, but having some scruples of the
nonconformist stamp, he left the university without a de*
.- . ■ - • • -■*-*.'

1 Palmer's Noncon. Memorial.— Neal's Hist, of the Puritans.— Ath. Ox,
vol. 11. . . ♦ . ;

BURGESS. SH

gfee. It would appear, however, that he had taken or-*
ders*, as we are told that immediately after he was invited
to be chaplain to a gentleman of Chute in Wiltshire, and
afterwards to a Mr. Smith of Tedwofth, where he was"
tutor to that gentleman's son. In 1667, the earl of Orrery^
lord president of Munster, took Mr. Burgess over to Ire*
land, and appointed him master of a school which he had
established at Charleville for the purpose of strengthening
the protestant interest in that kingdom, and Mr. Burgess,
While here, superintended the education of the stfns of
some of the Irish nobility and gentry. After leaving thfe
school, he was chaplain to lady Mervin, near Dublin ;: but
about this time, we are told, he was ordained in Dublin as
a presbyterian minister, and married a Mrs. Briscoe in that
city* by whom he had a son and two daughters.

He resided seven years in Ireland, at the end of which
he returned, at the request of his infirm father, and not-
withstanding the strictness of the laws against nonconfor-
mity, preached frequently in Marlborough in Wiltshire,
and other places in the neighbourhood. For this he "was
* imprisoned for some time, but was released upon bail, and
in 1685 came to London; and the dissenters now having
more liberty, his numerous admirers hired a meeting for
him in Brydgej-street, Covent- garden. " Being situ-
ated," says one of his biographers, " in the neighbour-
hood of the theatre, and surrounded by many who are fools
enough to mock at sin and religion, he frequently had
among his hearers those who came only to make themselves
merry at the expence of religion, dissenters, and Daniel
Burgess. This his undaunted courage, his pointed wit, and
ready elocution, turned to great advantage : /or -he fre-
quently fixed his eye on those scoffers, and addressing
them personally in a lively, piercing, and serious manner,
was blessed to the conversion of many who came only to
ihock." Much of this may be true, but it cannot, on the
other hand, be denied that Daniel provoked the mirth of
his hearers by a species of buffoonery in language, to
laugh at which was not necessarily connected with any con-
tempt for religion.

He continued as a pastor over this congregation for thirty
years, during which a new place of worship was built by
them in Carey-street, and when much injured, or as it is
called, gutted, by Dr. Sacheverell's mob, was repaired at
the expence of government. Hq died January 1712-13*

2[i& BURGESS.

in the sixty-eighth year of his age, and was buried in St.
Clement Panes, Strand. It has escaped the notice of his
biographers, that the celebrated lord Bolingbroke* was
once bis pupil, and the world has perhaps to regret that
his lordship did not learn what Daniel Burgess might have
taught him, for Daniel, with all his oddities, which made
bitty for so many years the butt of Swift, Steele, and the
other wits of the time, was a man of real piety. Unfor-
tunately, like his successor Bradbury, he had a very con*
sideraWe portion of wit, which he could not restrain, and'
where he thought an argument might be unsuccessful, he
tried a pun. One of his biographers has furnished us with"
two instances that may illustrate the general character of'
his preaching. — When treating on " the robe of righteous-
ness,9' he , said, " If any of you would have a good and
cheap suit, you will go to Monmouth-street ; if you want
a suit fpr life, you will go to the court of chancery ; but if
you wish for a suit that will last to eternity, you must go
to the Lord Jesus Christ, and put on his robe of righteous-
ne$s." In the reign of king William, be assigned a new
motive for the people of God who were the descendants of
Jacob, being called Israelites ; namely, because God did
not choose that his people should be called Jacobites ! His
works were numerous, but principally single sermons,
preached on funeral and other occasions, and pious tracts.
One of his sermons is entitled " The Golden Snuffers,'*
and was the first sermon preached to the societies for the
reformation of manners- It is a fair specimen of Daniel's
method and style, being replete with forced puns and'
quaint sayings, and consequently, in our opinion, better
adapted to amusement than edification. l -

BURGH (James), a moral and political writer, was
born at Madderty, in Perthshire, Scotland, in the latter
end of the year 1714. His father was minister of that
parish, and his mother was aunt to the celebrated historian
Dr. Robertson. His grammatical education he received
at the school of the place which gave him birth, where he
discovered such a quickness aud facility in imbibing lite**

* In 1702 Mr. Burgess's only son tary and reader to the princess Sophia,

was made commissioner of prizes ; and It is not improbable that he might

in 1714, ab»ut a year after hi* father's owe these promotions to, lord Boling-

death, he resided at Hanover, as secre- broke.

1 Prot Dissenters' Magazine, vol VL— --Bogue's Hist of the Dissenters, vol.
It.— Henry's Funeral Sermon for Burgess.-— Swift's Work*, see Index,— Tatiej*
with Annotation*, vol. II, and IV,

B U R Q H. 319

rary instruction, that bis master used to say, that bis scho-
lar would soon acquire all the knowledge that it was in his
power to communicate. In due time young Burgh was
removed to the University of St. Andrew's, with a view of
becoming a clergyman in the church of Scotland ; but he
did not continue long at the college, on account of a bad
state of health, which induced him to lay aside the thoughts
of the clerical profession, and enter into trade, in the linen,
way ; which he was enabled to do with the greater prospect
of advantage, as he had lately obtained a handsome for*
tune by the death of his eldest brother. In business, how-*
ever, he was not at all successful ; for, by giving injudi-
cious credit, he was soon deprived of his property. Not
long after this misfortune, he came to London, where bit
first employment was to correct the press for the celebrated
Mr. Bowyer ; and at his leisure hours he made indexes.
After being engaged about a year in this way, during which
he became acquainted with some friends who were highly
serviceable to him in his future plans of life, he removed
to Great Marlow, in Buckinghamshire, as an assistant at
the free grammar-school of that town ; and whilst he con-
tinued in this situation, the school is said to have been
considerably increased. During his residence at Marlow,
be met with only one gentleman who was suited to his own
turn of mind. With that gentleman, who was a man of
piety, and of extensive reading in divinity r though no clas-
sical scholar, he contracted a particular friendship. At
Marlow it was that Mr. Burgh first commenced author, by
writing a pamphlet, entitled " Britain's Remembrancer,"'
and which was published, if we mistake not, a little after
the beginning of the rebellion, in 1745. This tract con-
tained an enumeration of the national blessings and deliver-
ances which Great Britain bad received ; with pathetic ex-
hortations to a right improvement of them, by a suitable
course of piety and virtue. It appeared without Mr.
Bqrgh's name, as was the case with his works in general,
and was so much read and applauded by persons of a re-
ligious temper, that it went through five editions in little
more than two years, was reprinted in Scotland, Ireland,
and America, and again in London 1766. Mr. Barker, at
that time one of the most eminent ministers among the
protestant dissenters in London, spoke highly of it, in a
(armon preached at Salters'-ball ; and publicly thanked

820 BURGH,

the unknown author, for so seasonable and useful a per-
formance.

Mr. Burgh being of a sociable disposition, and not meet-
ing, at Marlow, with company which was suited to his libe-
ral taste, he quitted that place, and engaged himself as an
assistant to Mr. Kenross at Enfield. Here he remained
only one year; for, at the end of that term, Mr. Kenross
very generously told him, that he ought no longer to losd
his time, by continuing in the capacity of an assistant ;
thkt it would be adviseable for him to open a boarding-
school for himself; and that, if he stood in need of it, he
would assist him with money for that purpose. Accord*
ingly, in 1747, Mr. Burgh commenced master of an aca-
demy at Stoke Newington, in Middlesex ; and in that year
he wrote " Thoughts on Education," The next produc-
tion of his pen was u An hymn to the Creator* of the
world," to which was added in prose, " An Idea of the
Creator^ from his works." A second edition, in 8vo, was
printed in 1750. After Mr. Burgh had continued at Stoke
Newington three years, his house not being large enough
to contain the number of scholars that were offered to him,
he removed to a more commodious one at Newington-
green, where, for nineteen years, he carried on his school
with great reputation jmd success. Few masters, we be-
lieve, ever existed, who have been animated with a more
ardent solicitude for forming the morals as well as the
understandings of their scholars.. In 1751, Mr. Burgh
married Mrs. Harding, a widow lady, and a woman of ex-
cellent sense and character, who zealously concurred with
him in promoting all his laudable and useful undertakings:
In the same year, at the request of Dr. Stephen Hales,
and Dr. Hayter, bishop of Norwich/ he published a small
piece, in 12mo, entitled " A Warning to Dram Drinkers."
Our author's next publication was his great work, entitled
" The Dignity of Human Nature ; or, a brief account of
the certain and established means for attaining the true
end of our existence." This treatise appeared in 1754,
in one volume quarto, and has since been reprinted in two
volumes octavo. It is divided into four books, in which
the author treats distinctly concerning prudence, know-
ledge, virtue, and revealed religion ; and makes a greafr
number of important observations under each of these
beads. In 1762 Mr. Burgh published, in octavo, "The

BURGH. „ 321

Art of Speaking ;" consisting, first, of an essay, in which
• are given rules for expressing properly thct-principal pas-
sions and humours that occur in reading, or in public elo-
cution; and secondly, of lessons taken from the ancients
and moderns, exhibiting a variety of matter for practice.
The essay is chiefly compiled from Cicero, Quitttilian, and'
other rhetorical writers. In the lessons, the emphatical'
words are printed in Italics, and marginal notes are added
to shew the various passions, in the several examples, as *
they change from one .to another. It is evident, from an
inspection of this work, that it must have cost our author*
no small degree of labour. It has gone through three-
editions, and was much used as a school-book. The late
sir Francis Blake Delaval; who had studied the subject of
elocution, and who had distinguished himself in the pri-
vate acting of several plays in conjunction with some other'
persons of fashion, had so high an opinion of Mr. Burgh's
performance, that be solicited on that account an inter*'
view with him. Our author's next appearance in the lite-
rary world was in 1766, in the publication of the first vo-
lume, in 1.2mo, of" Crito, or Essays on various subjects.**
To this volume is prefixed a dedication, not destitute of1
humour, " To the rjght rev. father (of three years old) his
royal highness Frederic bishop of Osnaburgh." The essays
ate three in number ; the first is of a political nature ; the
second is. on the difficulty ajid importance of education,
and contains many pertinent remarks, tending to shew
that Mons. Rousseau's proposals on this head are improper,
ineffectual, or impracticable ; and the third is upon the
origin of evil. In this essay Mr. Burgh has collected to-
gether and arranged, though with but little regard to order,
the sentiments of many writers, both ancient and modem,
on the subject, and endeavoured to shew the inconsistency
of their reasonings. His own opinion is, that the natural
and moral evil which prevails in the world, is the effect of
the hostility of powerful, malignant, spiritual beings ; and
tbat Christianity is the deliverance of the human species
from this peculiar and adventitious distress, as an enslaved
nation is by a patriotic hero delivered from tyranny. In
1767 came put the second volume of " Crito," with a long
dedication (which , is replete with shrewd and satirical ob*
servations, chiefly of a* political kind) to the good people
of Britain of the twentieth century. The rest of the vo-
lume contains another " Essay on the Origin of Evil," and
Vol. VII. Y

322 B tT R G H.

the rationale of Christianity, and a postscript, consisting of
farther explanations of the subjects before considered, and
of detached remarks on various matters. If our author*
has not succeeded in removing the difficulties which re-
late to the introduction of evil into the world, and to the
ceconomy of the gospel, it may be urged in his favour,
that he is in the same case with many other ingenious phi-
losophers and divines. ■' *■
Mr. Burgh having, for many years, led a very laborious
life, and having acquired also a competent, though not a
large fortune (for his mind was always far raised above!
pecuniary views), he determined to retire from business.
In embracing this resolution, it was by no means his in-
tention to be unemployed. What he had particularly irij
contemplation was, to complete his "Political Disquisi-
tions," for which he had, during ten years, been collect-*
ing suitable materials. Upon quitting his school at New- '
ington-green, which was in 1771, he settled in a house at
Colefcrooke-row, Islington, where he continued till his
decease. He had not been long in his new situation before
he became convinced (of what was only suspected before)
that he had a stone in his bladder. With this dreadful
malady he was deeply afflicted the four latter years of bis
life ; and for the two last of these years his pain was ex-
quisite. Nevertheless, to the astonishment of all who
were witnesses of the misery be endured, he w£nt on with
his u Political Disquisitions." The two first volumes were
published in 1774, and the third volume in 1775. Their
title is, " Political Disquisitions : or, an enquiry into pub-'
lie errors, defects, and abuses. Illustrated by, and esta-
blished upon, facts and remarks extracted from a variety
of authors ancient and modern. Calculated to draw the
timely attention of government and people to a due con-
sideration of the necessity and the means of reforming'
those errors, defects, and abuses ; of restoring the consti-
tution, and saving the state." The first volume relates to
government in general, and to parliament in particular;
the second treats of places and pensions, the taxation of
the colonies, and the army ; and the third considers man-
ners. It was our author's intention to have extended his'
Disquisitions to some other subjects, if he had not been
prevented by the violence of his disease, the tortures, of
which he bore with uncommon patience and resignation,
and from which he was happily released, on the 26th of

BURGH. 322

August, 1775, in the sixty-first year of his age* Besides
the publications already mentioned, and a variety of ma-
nuscripts which he left behind him, he wrote, in 1753 and
1754, some letters in the General Evening Post, called
*' The Free Enquirer;" and in 1770, a number of papers
entitled " The Constitutionalist," in the Gazetteer ; which
Were intended to recommend annual parliaments, adequate
representation, and a place bill. About the same time he
also published another periodical paper in the Gazetteer,
tinder the title of " The Colonist's Advocate ;" which was
written against the measures of government with respect,
to the colonies. He printed likewise for the sole use of
his pupils, " Directions, prudential, moral, religious, and
scientific ;" which were pirated by a bookseller, and sold
Under the titlte of " Youth's friendly Monitor."

With regard to Mr. Burgh's character, he was a man of
great piety, integrity, and benevolence. He bad a warmth
of heart which engaged him to enter ardently into the pro*
secution of any valuable design ; and his temper was com*
inunicative, and chearful. Whilst his health permitted itj
he had great pleasure in attending a weekly society of
some friends to knowledge, virtue, and liberty, among
whom were several persons of no small note in the philo-
sophical and literary world. He had once the honour of
being introduced to his present majesty, when prince of
Walesy and to the late princess dowager of Wales, from
wJbofn he met with a most gracious reception, and with
v^bocn he had much discourse on the subject of education*
a,hd other important topics. In his compositions, our au-
thor paid greater regard to strength than elegance ; and
he. despised, perhaps unjnstly, that nice attention to ar-
rangement of language which some writers think desirable ;
and which is indeed desirable, when thereby the force and
vigour of style are not obstructed. Mr. Burgh's widow
died in 17S8.1 .

BURIDAN (John), a Frenchman, born at Bethune in
Artoi^ was a renowned philosopher or schoolman of the
fourteenth fcentury. He discharged a professor's place in
the university of Paris with great reputation; and wrote
commentaries on Aristotle's logic, ethics, and metaphy-
sics, which were much- esteemed. Some say that he was
rector of the university of Paris in 1320. Aventine relates,

i Biog. Brit, with so^ie corrertiori* aiiffi&iHtioiitfrom Nicfeolt's Bowyer.

Y 2.

324 BURIDA N.

that he was a disciple of Ockam ; and that, being expelled
Paris by the power of the realists, which was superior to
that of the nominalists, he went into Germany, where be
founded the university of Viepna. " Buridan's Ass/9 ha*
been a kind of proverb a long time in the schools ; though
nobody has ever pretended to explain it, or. to determine
with certainty what it meant. He supposed an ass, very
hungry, standing betwixt two bushels of oats perfectly
equal ; or an ass, equally hungry and thirsty, placed
betwixt a bushel of oats and a tub of water, bqth making
an equal impression on his organs. After this supposition
he used to ask, What will this ass do ? If it was answered,
He will remain there as he stands : Then, concluded he,
he will die of hunger betwixt two bushels of oats ; he will
die of hunger and thirst with plenty of 'food aud drink
before him. This seemed absurd, and the laugh was
wholly on his side : But, if it. was answered, This ass will
not^be so stupid as to die of hunger and thirst with such
good provision on each side of it : then, concluded he,
this ass has free will, or of two weights in equilibre one
inay stir the other. Leibnitz, in his Theodicea, confutes
this fable,; he supposes the ass to be between two meadows,
and equally inclining to both : concerning this he says, it
is a fictiqn which, in the present course of nature, cannot
subsist. Indeed, were the case possible, we must say, that
the creature would suffer itself to die of hunger. But the
Question turns on an impossibility, unless God should purr
jpo^ely interfere to prodqce sych a thing; (or the universe
cannot be $o divided, by a plane drawn through the mid-
dle, of the as5, cut vertically in i,ts leogth, so that every
thing. op each side shall be alike and similar;, for neither
the parts pf the universe, ror the 'animal's viscera, are si*
pillar, nqr in an equal situation on both sides of this ver*
tical plane. Therefore wilJL there always be nnany things,
within and without the ass, which, though imperceptible
to ys, will, determine it tft.takf to pn^ side more than the

other.. ,AAe* a^ d**3* ™l yeWf edifyiqg.djsc»$sion,..tba
world mu^t, cpnfess its obligations tp Burvdan for pne of the
ipost qommqi) proved8*. 4^99ting hesitation ip .determine
iqg between two objiepts of equal or ij$*rly equal value. ' .
£UftJG|NY (LEyE^QUEp^.was bprn^at Rbei«is in 1691,
Wk.1WJMVfi& °f xk<t axjadepiy.of bell^n^itreft ftt Earw,

BURI6NY. 32*

He died in that city Oct. 8,1785, at the age of ninety-
four, at that time the father of French literature, and
perhaps the oldest author in. Europe. His great tran-
quillity of mind, and the ' gentleness of his disposition,
procured him the enjoyment of a long and pleasant old
age. In his youth he passed some time in Holland, and
was a writer in the Journal de 1' Europe; On his return hfe
was much caressed by the learned, and in his latter days
had a pension of 2000 livres granted, without any appli-
cation, by the last king of France. At ninety-two his
health was robust, his memory extensive, and he composed
and wrote with facility. His works are, 1. c< A treatise on
the Authority of the Popes," 1720, 4 vols. 12mo. 2. "His-
tory of the Pagan Philosophy," 1724, 12 mo, a learned
performance, published in 1754 under the title of "Th6o-
logie paienne." 3. "General History of Sicily," 1745,
2 vols. 4to. 4. " Porphyry on Abstinence from Meats,**
•1747,* 12mo. 5. " History of the Revolutions of Constan-
tinople," 3 vols. 12mo, 1750. 6. " Life of Grotius," 1754f
2 vols. 12mo.~ 7. u Life of Erasmus," 1757, 2 vols. 12ma.
8. u Life of Bossuet," 1761, 12mo. 9. " Life of cardinal
du Perron," 1768, 12mo. The Historical works of M. de
Burigny are esteemed for the accuracy and abundance of
the facts they contain. But he is a cold narrator ; has but
little force and. expression in his portraits, and is some-
times rather prolix iYi his details. His Life of Grotius is a
very valuable work, and was published in English in 1754,
Bvo. For that of Erasmus, Dr. Jortin may be consulted. l

BURKE (Edmund), was one of the mo§t distinguished
politicians and political writers of the last century, whose
life, it has been long expected, would havei been written
by those to whom he entrusted the care of his fame. No-
thing, however, has yet appeared, except compilations
by strangers, from public documents and records, pub-
lished to gratify present curiosity. Some of these, how-
ever, are written with care and ability, and must form the
basis of the following sketch.

Mr. Burke's biographers are not agreed as to his birth-
place. Some say he was born in the city of Dublin; others,
in a little town in the County of Cork ; but all are agreed
in the date, Jan. V, 17 SO. ' Hts father was an attorney of
' considerable practice, who had married into the ancient

i DickHwfc •

326 BURKE.

and respectable family of the Nagles, and beside? the ret
suits of his practice, possessed a small estate of 1 50/. ox
200l. a year. Edmund Was his second son, and at a very
early age, was sent to Balytore school; a seminary in the
North of Ireland, well known for having furnished the bar
and the pulpit of Ireland with many eminent characters*
This school has been kept by quakefs for near a century ;
and the son of Mr. Abraham Shackleton, . to whom Mr.
Burke was a pupil, has been for these many years past the
head-master. It has been creditable to both parties (viz.
the present preceptor and the quondam pupil of bis father),
that the strictest friendship has always subsisted between
them ; not only by a constant correspondence, but by oc-
casional visits. At this school young Burke soon distin*
guished himself by an ardent attachment to study, a
prompt command of words, and a good taste. His me-
mory unfolded itself very early, and he soon became dis-
tinguished as (what was called) the best capper of verses m
the school; but as this phrase is not so generally known jn
England as in Ireland, it may be necessary to explain it : —
What is called capping of verses is repeating any one line
out of the classics, and following it up by another, begin*
ning with the same letter with which the former line ended;
for instance,

JEqvnm memento rebus in ardui*
S ervare mentem, non secus in bonis.

This was carried on, in the way of literary contest,
between two boys, which begat an emulation for reading
above the ordinary line of duty, and at the same time
called out and strengthened the powers of memory. Burke
not only took the lead in this, but in all general exercises :
he was considered as the first Greek and Latin scholar j to
these he added the study of poetry and belles lettresj
an<J, before he. left the school, produced a play in three
acts, founded oti some incidents in the early part of the
history of England, of which little is now remembered,
unless that Alfred formed the principal character, and th^t*
this part contained many sublime sentiments on liberty.

Before be left Balytore school his elder brother died,
Which determined his father to send Edmund to the uni*
versity. He was accordingly entered of Trinity college,
Dublin, where some say he pursued his studies with the
same unceasing application as at school; while Goldsmith,
and others, his contemporaries, assure as that he displayed

BURKE. 327

no particular eminence in the performance of his exercises*
Both accounts may be, in some measure, true. Burke
might have pursued his studies! those desultory studies
which occupied the time of Milton and Dryden at Cam*
bridge, and of Johnson and Gibbon at Oxford, without
much desire to obtain academical distinctions. We are
told, however, that he applied himself with sufficient di-
ligence to those branches of mathematical and physical
science which are most subservient to the purposes of life ;
and though he neglected the syllogistic logic of Aristotle,
he cultivated the method of induction pointed out by
Bacon. Pneumatology likewise, and ethics, occupied a
considerable portion of his attention ; and whilst attending
to the acquisition of knowledge, he did not neglect the
means of communicating it. He studied rhetoric, and
the art of composition, as well as logic, physics, history,
and moral philosophy ; and, according to one of his bio*
graphers, had at an early part of his life planned a con-
futation of the metaphysical theories of Berkeley and
Hume. For such a task as this, Dr. Gleig (in the welU
written life of Burke inserted in the Supplement to the
lCncycL Britannica) doubts whether nature intended him,
Through the ever active mind of Burke ideas seem to have
flowed with too great a rapidity to permit him to give that
patient attention to minute distinctions, without which It
is vain to attempt a confutation of the subtleties of Berke-
ley and Hume. Dr. Reid, the ablest antagonist of these
two philosophers, was remarkable for patient thinking, and
even apparent slowness of apprehension; and we have
not a doubt, but that if he had possessed the rapidity of
thought which characterised Burke, his confutation of
Hume and Berkeley would have been far from conclusive.
In 1749 we find Burke employed in a way more suitable
to his talents, and more indicative of his future pursuits.
At thatLperiod Mr. Lucas, afterwards Dr. Lucas, a political
m apothecary, wrote a number of papers against government,
and acquired by them as great popularity in Dublin, as
Wilkes afterwards obtained by his North Briton in London.
Burke, although young, perceived almost intuitively^ the
^pernicious tendency of Lucas's effusions, and resolve^ to
counteract it, which he did by writing several essays in the
style of Lucas, imitating it so exactly as to deceive the
public, and pursuing hjis principles to consequences ne-
cessarily resulting frorp them, which demonstrated their

3

28 BURKE,

absurdity. This was the first instance of that imitative
skill which he afterwards displayed in a mimicry of Bo-
lingbroke ; and it has been observed, that his first literary
effort, like his last, was calculated to guard his country
against anarchical innovations.
' According to some accounts, he went from Dublin,
where there was little prospect of a settlement adequate to
his talents and wishes, to London, where he entered him-
self as a student in the IVIiddle Temple. According to
other accounts, however, he was by design or accident at
Glasgow, where he became a candidate for the professor-
ship of logic, then vacant, but whether the application
was made too late, or that the university was tfnwilling to •
receive a stranger, certain it is that he was unsuccessful.
One account says, that he was passing the old college
gate, when a label affixed to it struck his eye, which had
been pasted up as a mere matter of form, inviting all can-;
didates for the professorship to a competition, although it
was known that a successor was already fixed upon. If
this be the fact, Mr. Burke's mistake must have been very
soon rectified, without his having the mortification of a
disappointment after trial.

It is certain, however, that about 1753 he came to Lon-
don, and entered himsejf, as already noticed, as a student
cf the Middle Temple, where he is said to have studied,
*s in every other situation, with unremitting diligence*
Many of his habits and conversations were long remem-
bered at the ^Grecian coffee-house (then the great ren-
dezvous of the students of the Middle Temple), and they
were such as were highly creditable to his morals and his
talents. With the former, indeed, we should not know
how to reconcile a connection imputed to him at this time
with Mrs. Woffington, the actress, if we gave credit to the
report ; but it is not very likely, that, one in Mr. Burke's
narrow circumstances would have been admitted to more
than a slight acquaintance with a lady of that description. •
Though by the death of his elder brother, he was to have
succeeded to a very comfortable patrimony, yet as his
father was living, and had other children, it could not be
supposed that his allowance was very ample. This urged
him to draw upon his genius for the deficiency of fortune,
and we are told that he became a frequent contributor to
the periodical publications. His first publication is. said to
have been a poem^ which did not succeed. There is rt&

BURKE. 329

certain information, however, concerning these early pro^
(tactions, unless that he found it necessary to apply with
so much assiduity as to injure his health. A dangerous
illness ensued, and he resorted for medical advice to Dr,
Nugent, a physician whose skill in his profession was
equalled only by the benevolence of his heart. He was,
if we are not mistaken, a countryman of Burke1 s, a Roman
catholic, and at one time an author by profession. This
benevolent friend,* considering that the noise and various
disturbances incidental to chariibers, must retard the re-
covery of his patient, furnished him with apartments in
his own house, where the attention of every member of
the family contributed more than medicine to the recovery
of his health. It was during this period that the amiable
manners of miss Nugent, the doctor's daughter, made a
deep impression on the heart of Burke ; and as she could
aot be insensible to such merit as his, . they felt for each
other a mutual attachment, and were fnarried soon after
bis recovery. With this lady he appears to have enjoyed
uninterrupted felicity. He often declared to his intimate
friends, " That, in all the anxious moments of his public
life, every care vanished when he entered his own house.'*
Mr. Burke's first known publication, although not im-
mediately known, was his very happy imitation of Boling-
broke, entitled "A Vindication of Natural Society," 1756,
8?o. To assume the style and character of such a writer,
who had passed through all the high gradations of official
knowledge for near half a century, a fine scholar, a most
ready and eloquent speaker, and one of the best writers of
bis time, was, perhaps, one of the boldest attempts etfer
undertaken, especially by a young man, a stranger to the
manners, habits, and connections of the literati of this
country, who could have no near view of the great cha-
racter he imitated, arid whose time of life would not per-
mit of those long and gradual experiments by which excel-
lence of any kind is to be obtained. Burke, however, was
not without success in his great object, which ^as to ex-
pose the dangerous tendency of lord BolingbroWs philo-
sophy. When this publication firstappeared, we are told
that almost every body received it as thp posthumous worjk
of lord Bolirtgbroke, and it was praised up to the standard,
of his 'best writings! "The critics knew the turn of his
periods; his style?; Ms phrases? arird' above all; the matdi-
l$ss dexterity of his metaphysical pen : and amongst these,

. I

SSQ BURKE.

nobody distinguished himself more than the lately departed
veteran of the stage, Charles Macklin; who, with the
pamphlet in his hand, used frequently to exclaim at the
Grecian coffee-house (where he gave a kind of literary law
to the young Templars at that time), " Oh ! sir, this must
be Harry Bolingbroke: I know him by his cloven foot."
.But much of this account is mere assumption. Macklin,
and such readers as Macklin, might be deceived ; but no
man was deceived whose opinion deserved attention. Hie
public critics certainly immediately discovered the imita-
tion, and one at least of them was not very well pleased
with it We are told, indeed, that lord Chesterfield' and
bishop Warburton were at first deceived; but this provds
only the exactness of the imitation ; a more attentive per-
usal discbvered the writer's real intention.

The next production of Mr. Burke's pen was " A Phi-
losophical Enquiry into the origin of our ideas of the
Sublime and Beautiful," 1756, 8vo, which soon engaged
all readers who had the least pretensions to taste or science.
Beside possessing novelty of opinion in many particulars,
this book attracted by its style and ingenuity of reasoning :
every body read it ; and even those who could not assent
to many of the general principles, concurred in praising
the author for talents of a very extraordinary kind. A cri^
ticism on it, ascribed to Johnson, but really written by
Mr. Murphy, concludes in the following manner : " Upon
the whole, though we think the author of this piece mis-
taken in many of his fundamental principles, and also in
his deductions from them, yet we must say, we have read
bis book with pleasure. He has certainly employed much
thinking : there are many ingenious and elegant remarks,
which, though they do not enforce or improve bis first posi-
tion, yet, considering them detached from his system* they
are new and just. And we cannot dismiss this article with-
out recommending a perusal of the book to all our readers; as
we think they will be recompensed by a great deal of sen-
timent, perspicuous, elegant, and harmonious style, iii mtt-
hy passages both sublime and beautiful /'* Some time' after
this, Mr. Burke, who had devoted much of his time tfr the
stydy of history and politics, proposed to Mr. Dodsley, thfe

<)lan of an " Annual Register" of the civil, political, and
it&ary transactions of the times; and the proposal beiog
acceded to, the work was begun, and carried on fm man?

BURKE. m

j€*xa> either by Mr. Burke himself, or under his immer
diate inspection, and was uncommonly successful.

The celebrity of such works soon made Mr. Burke known
to the literati ; amongst whom were the late George lord
.Lyttelton, the right honourable William Gerard Hamilton,
the late Dr. Markham, archbishop of York, Dr. Johnson,
sir Joshua Reynolds, and many other eminent characters,
who were proud to patronise a young man of such good
private character, and such very distinguished talents. l£
.was in consequence of these connections that we soon after
.find Mr. Burke in the suite of the earl of Halifax, ap-
pointed lord lieutenant of Ireland, October 1761. Here,
by his talents, as well as by his convivial and agreeable
jnanners, he made himself not only useful at the castle, but
renewed and formed several valuable acquaintances.

Before he left Ireland he had a pension settled on him,
on that establishment* of 200/. per year (some say 300/.),
which was said to be obtained through the interest of the
right hon. William Gerard Hamilton, the official secretary
to the lord lieutenant. Report said at the same time, tha^t
Mr. Burke had obliged Mr. Hamilton in turn, by writing
that celebrated speech for him, which (as he had uever
afterwards spoken another of such consequence) procured
him through life the name of " Single Speech Hamil*
ton." This, however, although talked of in the better
circles of that day, is totally without foundation, nor is it
strictly true, as will be noticed in that gentleman's article,
thaf Mr. Hamilton spoke only once. The connection, how-
ever, between these gentlemen did npt last very long ; for
* few years afterwards, on some political contest, Mr. Hat
inilton telling Mr. Burke, as coarsely, as it was unfounded,
" that he took him frpw a garret," the. latter very spiritedly
replied, " Then, sir, by your own confession, it was I that
Ascended to know you." — He at the same time flung up
J)is pension ; and a coolness, it is said, ever after subsisted
between them. Mr. Malone, however, in his late Life of
Mr* Hamilton, takes no notice of his connection with Burke.
\ Mr. Burke's fame as a writer was now established j and
what added another wreath to this character were som$
$>*mphlets written before the peace of 1763. These intro-
duced him to the acquaintance of the late Mr. Fitzherbertg
father of the present lord St* Helen's; a gentleman who
esteemed and protested men.otMter*; ^dcL yy ho po^^s^^

533 * B URKE.

with a considerable share of elegant knowledge, taletits for
conversation which were very rarely equalled. Through
the medium of Mr. Fitzherbert, and owing to some 'po-
litical essays in the Public Advertiser, he became ac-
quainted with the late marquis of Rockingham, and the
late lord Verney ; events which opened the first great*
dawn of his political life : and soon after his acquaintance
with lord Rockingham, a circumstance took place which
gave this nobleman an opportunity to draw forth Mr*
Burke's talents. The administration formed in 1763, un-
der the honourable George Grenville, becoming unpopular
from various causes, his majesty, through the recommen-
dation of his uncle, the duke of Cumberland, appointed a
new ministry, of which the duke of Grafton and general
Gonway were secretaries of state, and the marquis of Rock-
ingham first lord of the treasury. In this arrangement,
which took place in 1765, Mr. Burke was appointed pri-
vate secretary to the marquis of Rockingham, and sooii
after, through the interest of lord Verney, was returned
one of the representatives in parliament for the borough of
Wendover in Buckinghamshire. On this he prepared him-
self for becoming a public speaker, by studying, still more
closely than he had yet done, history, poetry, and philo-
sophy ; and by storing his mind with facts, images, rea-
sonings, and sentiments. He paid great attention likewise
to parliamentary usage ; and was at much pains to become
acquainted with old records, patents, and precedents, so
as to render himself complete master of the business of
office. That he might communicate without embarrassment
the knowledge which he had thus acquired; he frequented,
with many other men of eminence, the Robin Rood so-
ciety; and, thus prepared, he delivered in the ensuing
session his maiden speech, which excited the admiration
of the house, and drew very high praise from Mr. Pitt,
afterwards earl of Chatham. The proceedings of the ad-
ministration with which Mr. Burke was connected, belong
to history ; and it may be sufficient here to notice, that
the principal object which engaged their attention was the
stamp-act, which had excited great discontents in Ame-
rica. Mr. Grenville and his party, under whose auspices
this act was passed, were for inforcing it by coercive mea-
sures ; and Mr. Pitt and his followers denied that' the par-
liament of Great Britain had a right to tax the American's:
By Mr. Burke's advice, as it has been said, the marquis

I

0

BURK?. SSS

of Rockingham' adopted a middle * course, repealing the
act to gratify the Americans, and passing a lay declaratory
of the right of Great Britain to legislate for America in
taxation, as in every other case. But by whatever a4vi?4
such a measure was carried, it argued little wisdom, the
repeal and the declaratory act being inconsistent with each
other. The ministry were therefore considered as unfit to
guide the helm of a great empire, >iid wer$ obliged tq
give way to a new arrangement* formed under the aus*
pices of Mr. Pitt, then eari of Chatham. • This change
created a considerable deal of political commotion ; ;and
the public papers and. pamphlets of that day -turned their
satire against the n^wly-.create0 earl o^, Chatham: jkfey
charged him with weakening and dividing an interest whiph
the public wished tp be supported ; and lending his great
name apd authority to persons who were supposed to be of
a party .which had been long held to be obnoxious to th#
whig interest. of the couutry. Though these charges wer§
afterwards fully refuted by the subsequent conduct of the
ipobl^.earl*; the late ministry were entitled to their share of
praise, not only for being very active in promoting the
general interests of, the state by several popular acts and
ceftolptjpns, . but by their uncommon disinterestedness ; ps
tty§y fjhpwecj, upon quitting their, pUqes, that they retired
without a place, pension, or reversion,, secured .{o the?**
9&)pe$ ,or jt^ieifp. ffiqfldp. ..[This was p. stroke ;whicb th$pri~
v#te fortune ;of Mr. JEfcurke jpould .tfj.. bear; but he had the
honour,. of being a mernber of a. virtuous administration* (
he frad the' opportunity of opening his great political ta-<
le^s^to thejpuWic^ and, above all, of shewing to ft aum*
ber, <>f ijJustriQus frieuds (and in particular the marquis of
Rqelfingbiitf)) his many private virtues and amiable qualities,
joined to,a reach of oiind scarcely equalled by any of his

cd##i»ppr&rief,

Jn July 1,766, >lr* Burke, ,fin<%g himself disengaged
frc^nppiitiqalbt^in^^, visited Ireland after an absence of
WWJ^; jwd here h^;r(?newed ma,ny of those pleasing
fri^ndsJ^psand connec$ip$3 which engaged the attention of
his, younger days, $\w*ff^ WHtawfL still mpfe pleasing, by
A© prospsqt^f.a rising-fortune* afcd. a capacity of doiug
g<*o4 ft* those we tare-, and qsteen>,: lie returned to Eng?
la*dU9tfW& theph&e q£ the year; and, finding a strong
$ppj&ai*ion lori&ag against the duke of Grafton, who w^s
ft^j^ng. t^e spirit au4rfetfce of thope resolutions passed

334 BURKE.

under the late administration, he threw himself into the
foremost ranks, and there soon shewed what a formidable*
adversary he was likely to be. The opinion which Mr.:
Burke had of the Grafton administration is thus humorously
described by himself. After paying many merited eulo-'
giums on the character of lord Chatham, he claims the
freedom of history to speak of the administration h&
fbrmed, and thus proceeds :— ~" He made an administration
so chequered and speckled; he put together a piece of
joining so crossly indented and whimsically dove-tailed ; a'
cabinet so variously inlaid; such a piece of diversified
Mosaic; such a tessellated pavement without cement; herd
a bit of black stone; and there a bit of white; patriots
and courtiers ; king's friends and republicans; whigs antt:
tones ; treacherous friends and open enemies ;— that it was'
indeed a very curious show, but utterly unsafe to touch,
and unsure to stand upon. The colleagues/ whom he had
assorted at the same boards, stared at e^ch other, and
wtere obliged to ask, * Sir, your name ? — Sir, you have the
advantage of me — Mr. Such-a~one — Sir, I beg a thousand
pardons/ I venture to say, it did so happen that person*
hkd a single office divided between tbeta who hfcd never
spoken to each other in their lives*, until they found them- '
selves, they knew not how, pigging together, heads Und
points, in the sametruckle-b^d." '

r An ' administration, of which he had this opinion, wa*
hot likely to proceed uncensured ; particularly* when his ;
favourite repealing act " began to be in as bad ail odbur '
in the house its the stamp act had the session before.91
Other revenue acts following this, called out the force and '
variety of his talents; and the house began to perceive,
that to whatever side this young statesman threw in his
weight, it must add consideration and respect to his party.''
The session of 1768 opened with a perturbed prospect. '-
The distresses occasioned by the high price of provisions/
the restraining afct relative to the East India company, thief
nullum tempus bill, and other matters, afforded great room
for discussion, in which Mr. Burke took a part which not
only shewed the powers of his eloquence, but the great
resources of his information. He was soon considered as
the head o£ the Rockingham party in the house of ci>m» '
nions ; and his great assiduity in preparing business for
discussion, joined to his powers- for speaking and writing;
fully qualified him for this character. It is true, Aert

BURKE. 335

were other persons of great name on the same side ; such
as the late right honourable W. Dowdeswell — the gravity of
whose deportment, whose practical knowledge of business,
and great integrity of character, made him always well
heard and respected ; Mr. Dunning (late lord Ashburton)*
whose legal knowledge and powers of elocution will be long
remembered ; and colonel Barre, whose political observa-
tion, and pointed replies, were always formidable to ad-
ministration. But, notwithstanding the acknowleged me-
rit of these gentlemen and others, Burke stood foremost
for uniting the powers of fancy with the details of politi-
cal information. In 'his speeches there was something
fyr every mind to be gratified, which we have often seen
occasionally exemplified even by those who disliked hit
general politics.

. The parliament being dissolved in 1768, Mr. Burke wa*
reelected for Wendover. The opposition to the duke of.
Grafton's administration consisted of two parties, that of
the marquis of Rockingham, and that of Mr. Grenville, but
thege two parties had nothing in common except their dis-
like -of the ministry. This appeared very strikingly in a
pamphlet written by Mr. Grenville, entitled " The present
state -of the Nation," which, was answered by Burke, in
" Observations on the present state of the Nation." One
of the first subjects which occupied the attention of the
new parliament was the expulsion of Wilkes for various
libels, and the question, whether, after being so expelled,
he was eligible to sit in the same parliament. Burke, on
this occasion, endeavoured to prove that nothing but an
act of the legislature can disqualify any person from sitting
in parliament who is legally chosen, by a majority of elec-
tors, to fill a vacant seat. It is well known that his friend.
Dr. Johnson maintained a contrary doctrine in his " False
Alarm;" but in this as well as other occasions during the
American war, difference of opinion did not prevent a cor*
dial intercourse between two men whose conversation dur-
ing their whole lives was the admiration and ornament of
every literary society. The question itself can hardly be
said to, have ever received a complete decision. All that
followed was the expulsion of Wilkes during the present
parliament, and the rescinding of that decision 'in a future
pa^riiaoient, without argument or inquiry, in order to gra-
tify those constituents who soon after rejected Wilkes with
unanimous contempt

336 BURKE.

The proceedings on this question gave rise to the cele-
brated letters signed Junius, which appeared in the Pub-
lic Advertiser, and had been preceded by many other
anti-ministerial letters by the same writer, under other
signatures. They were at that time, and have often since
been attributed to Mr, Burke, and we confess we once,
and indeed for many years, were strongly of this opinion,
but after the recent publication of these celebrated Let- '
ters, with Junius' s private correspondence with Mr. Henry
Woodfall, the printer of the Public , Advertiser, and with
Mr, Wilkes, it is as impossible to attribute them to Burke,
as. it is at present to discover any other gentleman to whom
they may, from any reasonable grounds, be ascribed. St
may be added too, that in a confidential conversation witb
Dr. Johnson, he spontaneously denied them, which, as the
doctor very properly remarks, is more decisive proof than
if he had denied them on being a&ked the question.

Besides Burke's speeches on the Middlesex election, he
drew up a petition to the king from the freeholders of
Buckinghamshire, where he had now purchased his house
and lands at Beaconsfield*, complaining of the conduct of
the house of commons, in the matter of the expulsion, and
praying for a dissolution of parliament. This petition was
more temperate and decorous than some others addressed
to the throne on that subject. About the same time he
published " Thoughts on the public Discontents," a pam-
phlet from which they who wish to establish a "consistent
whole" in Mr. Burke's conduct, derive some of their proofs.
In this he proposed to place the government in the hands
of an open aristocracy of talents, virtue, property, and
rank, combined together on avowed principles, and sup-*
ported by the approbation and confidence of the people ;
and the aristocracy which he thought fittest for this great
trust, was a combination of those whig families which had
most powerfully supported the revolution and consequent

* Mr. Burke's character has been his passion, no administration would
frequently attacked on this purchase, have refused 'to remunerate his services
The money m} said to have been either by the highest official emolument* ; and
lent, or given him by the marquis of it ought not to be forgotten that when
Rockingham j but other accounts say he deserted his friends in 1791, be
that by the death of bis father and could not have the moat distant pro-
brother, he inherited the sum of 20,000/. spect of the reward bis majesty wa*
Throughout life, Mr. Burke was never pleased afterwards to bestow for his
an ^economist, and the pension which services in illustrating the genius and
he received in bis latter days was not tendency of the JP ranch revolution. ,.
unseasonable. Had mere avarice been

BURKE! 3S7

establishments. He expressed also, in strong terms, his
disapprobation of any change in the constitution and du-
ration of parliament ; and declared himself as averse from
an administration which should have no other support than
popular favour, as from one brought forward merely by the
influence of the court. In all Mr. Burke's publications
there is a fascination of style and manner, which carries
the reader with him to a certain distance; but to this
scheme there were so many obvious objections that it made
few converts, and courtiers and whigs equally opposed it,
thinking it perhaps too comprehensive for the selfishness
of party.

In .1770, the duke of Grafton, unable to resist the oppo-
sition within and without doors, resigned, and was suc-
ceeded by lord North, whose measures Mr. Burke uni-
formly opposed, particularly on the great questions agi-
tated, and measures adopted with regard to America. So
determined was he in his opposition to that minister, as to
ridicule the proposition for a repeal of the obnoxious laws
of the preceding administration, retaining only the duty on
tea, as a mark of the authority of parliament over the colo-
nies ; although this, if wrong, could not be more so than a
similar measure which he supported, and, as already no-
ticed, some say he advised, during the marquis of Rocking-
ham's administration. The most brilliant of his speeches
were made in the course of this disastrous war, during
which, although the attempt has been made, we are totally
at a loss to reconcile his principles with what he adopted ori
a subsequent occasion, nor are we of opinion that the ques-
tion can be decided by selecting detached passages from
his speeches (the most important of which he published) ;
but from a consideration, not only of the general tendency
of the whole towards the welfare of the state, and the sen-
timents of the natiou, but on the actual effects produced.
And it must not be omitted that his opposition to govern-
ment continued after all Europe had leagued against Great
Britain, a conduct consistent enough with the character of

a partisan, but which has little in it of true independent
patriotism*. * • • < ' *

* It it, we apprehend, Undeniable though the reign of Louis XVI, wai

that Mr. Burke justified and praised comparatively a mild one, it will not

Ataeriea -fi*r venturing on ail the hor* be easily answered, "Was it consistent

rors of a revolution, rather than sub- in him, who applauded America for

mit to the imposition of a trivial itn- dissolving its government/ venturing

post. It is therefore asked, and, al- into blood, and hazarding ail the nor-

Vol. VII, Z

338 BURKS.

Much of Burke's ardour in the comr*$ of thjs long p<Ai-
tical warfare has been thus accounted for by his old fri#nd
Gerard Hamilton : " Whatever opinion Burke, from any
motive, supports, so ductile is his imagination, th$t he
soon conceives it to be right." We apprehend also, tfaftfc
Burke was more accustomed to philosophize on certain
questions than is usually supposed, and that by revolving
the question in every possible light, his mind was often as
full of arguments on one side as on the other, neither of
which he could on all occasions conceal ; and h$nce it u
that men of quite opposite opinions have been equally de-
sirous to quote his authority ; and that there are in hj#
works passages that may be triumphantly brought fc^wturd
by almost any party. Burke's judgment, had he given -&
full play, would have rendered him an oracle, to whom aU
parties would have been glad to appeal ;, but his political
attachments were unfortunately strong while they lasted*
and not unmixed with ambition, which frequently brought
the independence of his character into suspicion. N© opir
nion was ever more just than that of his friend QolcUmtflfc
that Burke " gave up to party" what "was meant for mm?

kind." ■; -3

In 1772, he took a trip to France, and while he remained
in that country his literary and political eminence mad*
him courted by all the anti-monarchical and in fide} pbiktr
sophers of the time. That he saw in the religious, seep*
ticism and political theories of Voltaire, Helvetius, Rou*r
seau, and D'Alembert, even at that period, the probabjs
overthrow of religion and government, is not surprising*
for these consequences were foreseen, about the san*e time*
by a man of ptuch less discernment, ^nd of no religion* thff
late Horace Walpole, lord Orford, Burke, however, wre
90 impressed with the subject, that on his return he could
not avoid introducing his sentiments in the house of oomr
mons, and poinding out the conspiracy pf a£hei*fl* to the
watchful jealousy of government. He professed he mm
w>t over-fond of calling in the aid of the setter, ant): to
suppress dQctpnes ?md opinigm ;. hut if qvec it w^re to.jto
raised, it should be against those enemies of*thefc kiwi

fprs of anarchy* in support of its claim potism which violated all the u rights

Co perhaps one of the moat doubtful of of man," and pertfcrfegl tfce ends of

the *•« rights of man," the right of self, society ?" tyontb. £#*, wl« ?XYty

j^ayation-; was it consistent in him to pJ. S. p. 57,
reprobate Prance for shaking off a dee*

9 V ft .£ £ 339

whd would take from us the noblest prerogative of our na-
ture, that of being a religious animal. About tbe same
time he supported a motion for the relief of dissenters, and
in the course of his speech called the toleration which they
enjoyed by connivance " a temporary relaxation of
alavery," a sort of liberty " not calculated for the meridian
of England."

la 1774, a dissolution of parliament took place, and Mr*
$urke was returnedjone of the members for Malton ; when,
just as he was fitting down to dinner with his constituents
after the election, an express arrived from Bristol (consist-
ing of a deputation of some merchants), informing hiip,
that a considerable body of the citizens of Bristol, wishing,
a,t that critical season, to be represented by some gentle-
man of tried abilities and known commercial knowledge,
had put him up in nomination as one of their candidates;
and that they had set off express to apprise him of that
event. Mr. Burke, after acknowledging this high honour,
a$d thanking the gentlemen for their zeal and assiduity in
his favour, returned into the room where his Malton con-
stituents were, about sitting down to dinner, and told them
the nature of the express he had just received, and re-
quested their advice how to act He observed, " That as
they had done him the honour of thinking him worthy to
be their member, he would, if it was their wish, endeavour
to support that' station with gratitude and integrity; but
if they thought the general cause on which they were all
embarked could be better assisted by his representing the
city of Bristol, he was equally at their order.'* They im-
giediateiy decided for Bristol ; when, after taking a short
yepast with them, he threw himself into a post-chaise, and
without ever taking rest on the road, arrived in that city
en Thursday the 13th of October, being the sixth day of
the poll.

• His speech to the electors was as liberal as their invita-
tion. He did hot, like other candidates, on a spur of
mistaken gratitude, or the artifice of popular conciliation,
pledge himself to be the mere vehicle of their instructions;
lie frankly told them his opinion of the trust they had re-
posed in him ; and what rendered this conduct still more
<?re*litable to his feelings was, that his colleague (Mr. Cru-
gfcr) had just before expressed himself in favour of tbe
Coercive authority of bis constituents1 instructions. Mr.
Burke's sentiments on this occasion are well worth trans~

z 2

340 BURKE.

cribing, as, in our opinion, they place that point, "How
far representatives are bound by the instruction* of their
constituents," out of the reach of all future litigation.
" Certainly, gentlemen," says he, " it ought to be the
happiness and glory of a representative to live in the
strictest union, the closest correspondence, and the most
unreserved communication with his constituents. Their
wishes ought to have great weight with him ; their opinion,
high respect ; their business, unremitted attention ; it is
his duty to sacrifice his repose, his pleasures, hi* satisfac-
tions, to theirs ; and above all, ever and in all cases, to
prefer their interest to his own : but his unbiassed opinion,
bis mature judgment, his enlightened conscience, he
ought not to sacrifice. to you, to any man, or to any set of
men. Parliament is not a congress of ambassadors from
different and hostile interests, which interests each must
maintain, as an agent and advocate, against other agents
and advocates : but parliament is a deliberative assembly
of one nation, with one interest, that of the whole ; where
not local purposes, not local prejudices, ought to guide,
but the general good resulting from the general reason ei
the whole : — you choose a member indeed ; but when yon
have chosen him, he is not a member of Bristol, but he is
a member of parliament. If the local constituent should
have an interest, or should form an hasty opinion, evidently
^opposite to the real good of the rest of the community,
the member for that place ought to be as far as any other
from any endeavour to give it effect."

With these open and manly sentiments, Mr. Burke en-
tered the house of commons, and we know of no instance
in which he did not preserve the tenor of them ; but in
1780, when he stood candidate for Bristol again, it was
found that he had given offence to his constituents, by
maintaining that he should be independent in his conduct,
by supporting the trade of Ireland, and by voting on sir
George Saville's bill in favour of the Roman catholics; and
although he endeavoured to vindicate himself with his usual
eloquence, he lost his election, and took his seat m the
new parliament for Malton.

- The Spring of 1782 opened a new scene of great poli-
tical importance. The American war had continued seven*
years, and having been unsuccessful, not-only the people,
but very nearly a majority of the parliament, became tired
of it* . The minister was now attacked with great force, and

BURKE. 34! '

the several motions which the opposition introduced, rela-
tive to the extinction of the war, were lost only by a very
small minority.' Finding the prospect of success brighten-
ing, the opposition determined to put the subject at issue.
Accordingly on the 8th of March,, lord John Cavendish
moved certain resolutions, recapitulating the failures, thd
misconduct, and the expences of the war, the debate on
which lasted till two o'clock in the morning, when the
house divided on the order of the day, which had been
moved by the secretary at war, and which was carried only
by a majority often. This defection on the side of admi-
nistration gave heart to the minority, and they rallied with
redoubled force and spirits on the 15th of March, when a
motion of sir John Rous, " That the house could have no
further confidence in the ministers who had the direction
of public affairs,'* was negatived only by a majority of
nine. The minority followed their fortune, and on the
20th of the same month (the house being uncommonly
crowded) the earl of Surrey (now duke of Norfolk) rose t6
make his promised motion, when lord North spoke to ordery
by saying, " he meant no disrespect to the noble earl ; but
as notice had been given that the object of the intend-
ed motion was the removal of bis majestj7,s ministers, he .
meant to have acquainted the house, that such a motion
was become unnecessary, as he could assure the house, on
authority, — that the present administration was no more !
and that his majesty had come to a full determination of
changing his ministers; and for the purpose of giving the
necessary time for new arrangements, he moved an ad-
journment," which was instantly adopted. During this
adjournment a new administration was formed under the
auspices of the marquis of Rockingham, on whose public
principles and private virtues the nation seemed to repose,
after the violent struggle by which it had been agitated,
with the securest and most implicit confidence. The ar-
rangements were as follow : The marquis of Rockingham
first lord of the treasury, the earl of Shelburne and Mr.
Fox joint secretaries of state, lord Camden president of the
council, duke of Grafton privy seal, lord John Cavendish
chancellor of the exchequer, and Mr. Burke (who was at
the same time m^de a privy counsellor) paymaster-general
of the forces.

Upon the meeting of parliament after the recess, the
new ministry, which stood pledged to the country for many

342 BUSK £•

reforms, began to put them into execution. They first
began with the affairs of Ireland ; and as the chief ground
of complaint of the sister kingdom was the restraining
power of the 6th of George the First, a bill was brought ia
to repeal this act, coupled with a resolution of the house,
" That it was essentially necessary to the mutual happiness
of the two countries that a firm and solid connection should
be forthwith established by the consent of both, and that
his majesty should be requested to give the proper direc-
tions for promoting the same." These passed without op-
position, and his majesty at the same time appointed his
grace the duke of Portland lord lieutenant of that king-
dom. They next brought in bills for disqualifying revenue
officers for voting in the election for members of parlia-
ment; and on the 15th of April, Mr. Burke brought for-
ward his great plan of reform in the civil list expenditure,
by which the annual saving (and which would be yearly
increasing) would amount to 72,368/. It was objected by
some members that this bill was not so extensive as it wad
originally framed ; but Mr. Burke entered into the grounds^
of those omissions which had been made either from a
compliance with the opinions df others, or from ia fuller
consideration of the particular cases; at the same time he
pledged himself, that he should at all times be ready to
obey their call, whenever it appeared to be the general
dense of the house and of the people to prosecute a more
. complete system of reform. This bill was followed by.
another for the regulation of his own office ; but the late-
ness of the season did not afford time for the completion of
all plans of regulation and retrenchment, which were in
the contemplation of the new ministry, and indeed all their
plans were deranged by the death of the marquis of Rock-
ingham July J, 1782. Oh this event it was discovered
that there was not that perfect union of principles among
the leaders of the majority, to which the country had
looked up; for, lord Shelburrie (afterwards marquis of
Lansdowne) being appointed first lord of the treasury, a.
statesman who had incessantly and powerfully co-operated
vith the party in opposition to the tate war, except in the
article of avowing the independence of America, this gave
umbrage to the Rockingham division of the cabinet, who
were of opinion that " by this change the measures of the
former administration Would be broken in upon.'* Mr,
Fox, therefore, lord John Cavendish, Mr. jJurke, and others,

BURKE. 343

#

resigned their respective offices, and Mr. Pitt, then a very
young man, succeeded lord George Cavendish as chan-
cellor of the exchequer, lord Sidney succeeded Mr. Fox
as secretary of state, and colonel Barre Mr. Burke as pay-
master of the forces, lord Sherburne retaining his office as
firfet minister.

By this change Mr, Burke fell once more into the ranks
of opposition, and continued in that situation until after
the general peace of 1783, when Mr. Fox, joining his par-
liamentary interest with that of lord North, gained a ma-
jority in the house of commons, which after some ineffec-
tual struggles on the part of Mr. Pitt, terminated in what
was called the coalition administration, composed of the
duke of Portland first lord of the treasury, lord John Ca-^
vendish chancellor of the exchequer, Mr. Burke, as before,
paymaster of the forces, and Mr. Fox and lord North joint
secretaries of state. As this union of political interest was
the iriost unpopular measure adopted in the present reign,
and that which it has, above all others, been found most
difficult to reconcile with purity and consistency of prin-.
ciple, it may be necessary to state what has been offered
tin apology, at least as far as Mr. Burke is concerned. It
is well known to those in the least conversant in the poli-
tics which immediately preceded this period, how uniformly
lord North was upbraided for his conduct throughout the
whole course of the American war : every thing that could
attach to a bad ministry was laid to his charge, except
perhaps the solitary exception of corruption in his own
person, which was not much, while he was continually
accused of being the mover of a mass of corruption in
bthers ; and as Mr. Fox and Mr. Burke were the two lead-
ing champions of the bouse of commons, in their several
apeeches will be found invectives of such a nature, as to
men judging of others in the ordinary habits of life, per*
haps would be thought insurmountable barriers to their
Coalition. But we are told, that forming an administration
upon a broad bottom of political interest is quite a different
thing from contracting a private friendship ; in the former
hiany things are to be conceded, in regard to times and
circumstances, and the opinions of others ; in the latter
the question of right and wrong lies in a narrower compass,
and is more readily judged of by the parties and their
friends. Mr. Burke, therefore, may say, " that in his
several attacks on lord North, he considered him as a prin-

344 BURKE.

cipal promoter and encourager of the American war, a
war which he held destructive of the interests and consti-
tutional rights of this country* As a minister^ therefore,
he reprobated his conduct ; but the American contest be-
ing over, and other measures about to be pursued, which,
in his opinion, might heal the bruises of this war, he
coalesced with him as a man, who (benefiting himself by
bis former mistakes) might still render important services*
to his country."

Such a defence as this may very well be admitted in
favour of Mr. Burke and others ; but Mr. Fox stood
pledged upon different ground. He not only inveighed
against the minister in the grossest terms of abuse, but
against the man; whom, he said, "he would not trust
himself in a room with, and from the moment that he ever
acted with him, he would rest satisfied to be termed the
most infamous of men." After such a particular declara-
tion as this, emphatically and deliberately announced in a
full house of commons, scarce nine months had elapsed
when Mr. Fox cordially united with lord North, and.
brought a suspicion on his character, with regard to con^
sisteucy, which all the exertions of his future life were not
able to remove. In the mean time, however, a new ad*
ministration bade fair for permanence. It was strong in
talents, in rank, and in the weight of landed interest. It
seemed nearly such a combination of great families as Mr.
Burke had wished in his " Thoughts on the Causes of the
present Discontents," but it wanted what was necessary to
complete his plan, " the approbation and confidence of
the people." Suspicion attached to all their measures,
and seemed, in the opinion of the people, to be con-
firmed when they introduced the famous East India bill.
This is not the place for discussing the merits of this im-
portant bill; it may suffice, as matter of fact, to state that
it was considered as trenching too much on the prerogative,
as creating a mass of ministerial influence which would
be irresistible ; and that the vast powers which it gave the
house of commons might render the administration too
strong for the crown. Had these objections been dbnfined
to the ex-ministers and their friends, the coalesced nii«*
lusters might have repelled them, at least by force of
numbers, but it was peculiarly unfortunate for Mr. Burke,
Mr. Fox, and the whig part of administration, that they
were opposed without doors by the voice of .the people,

BURKE. 345

aud in the writings of all those authors who -had the credit
of being constitutional authorities. 'The East India- bill,
accordingly, although carried in the house of commons,
was lost in that of the lords, and a new administration was
arranged in December 1783, at the bead <>f which was
Mr. Pitt

The majority of the house of commons, however, still
continuing attached to the dismissed ministers, public bu-
siness was interrupted, and continued in an embarrassed
state until his majesty determined to appeal to the people
by a dissolution of parliament in May 1784. The issue
of this was, tlrat many of the most distinguished adhe-
rents to the coalition were rejected by their constitu-
ents, and Mr. Pitt, in the new parliament, acquired a ma-
jority quite decisive as to the common routine of bu-
siness, but certainly for many years not comparable in
talents to the opposition. Mr. Burke, again belonging to
this class, exerted the utmost of those powers which so
justly entitled him to the character he maintained in the
world. To detail the progress of that high character
through all the political business he went through would
\>e incompatible with the nature and limits of this work ;
his talents will be best shewn in a general and minute re-
view of his public life, as exemplified in his speeches, his
political and other publications, and then he wiU be found
one of the greatest ornaments of the age he lived in.

Referring, therefore, at large to these documents, the
next great political object of Mr. Burke's attention was in
the impeachment of Warren Hastings, esq. governor ge-
neral of Bengal. Whatever merit or demerit there was
in this procedure, it originated with him; he pledged
himself to undertake it long before Mr. Hastings's return
from India, and was as good as his word on his arrival ;
parliament, however, sanctioned his motions for an im-
peachment, and from that time to its final determinatioa
it was their own act and deed. In the prosecution of this
tedious and expensive trial, the variety and extent of Mr.
. Burke's powers, perhaps, never came out with greater
lustre ; he has been charged by some with shewing too
much irritability of temper on this occasion, and by others
of private and interested pique; but though we acknow-
ledge there appear to be .grounds for the first charge
(which is too often the concomitant of great and ardent
qiinds in the eager and impassioned pursuits of their ob<*

U6 BURKE.

ject) we have every reason to acquit him of the other. It.
was, on the contrary, his political interest to forego the
impeachment, and his friends, we believe, strongly ad-
vised him to that measure, but we have every reason to.
think he felt it his duty to act otherwise; and though the
subsequent decision of the house of lords has shewn he was
in an error, we must suppose it an error of his understand-
ing, not of his heart Such at least is the language of
some of his biographers on this subject ; but, although he
may be ekculpated of malice or avarice in this affair, we
cannot help being of opinion, that his character, the cha-
racter of his heart, as well as his head, must suffer by the
recollection of his many and violent exaggerations without
proof, and particularly his harsh and coarse notice of Mr.
Hastings, and his own personal ostentation. On one oc-
casion, when in t!he moment of Mr. Hastings's hesitation
about the ceremony of kneeling at the bar, which pro-
ceeded from accident, he commanded him to kneel,* withi
a ferocity in his countenance which no painting could ex-
press, we question if there was a human being in that vast
assembly who would have exchanged feelings with him.

The next important measure in which Mr. Burke stood
forward with ah unusual degree of prominence, was the
settlement of a regency during his majesty's illness in
1788-9.' On his* conduct at this time, his biographers
who wish to prove lihn uniformly consistent in political
principle, seem inclined to cast a Veil ; but, as in that conduct
be betrayed more characteristic features of the man as
well as the politician than dt any other period of his life? we
know not bow to get rid of some notice of it in a narrative,
however short, whifch professes td be impartial. In fact,
his repeated interference in the debates to which the re-,
gency gave rise, were far more formidable to his own
friends than to the ministers. Either unconscious that
ebnstitutional principles and popular opinion were against
the part his friends took, of despising both in a case in
which he thought himself right, prudence so completely
deserted him, th&t, not content with the urgency of legal
and speculative argument, he burst iforth in expressions,
respecting* his majesty, so indecent, irreverent, and cruel,
as to create more general dislike to his character than had
ever before been entertained ; and when we consider that
this violence of temper and passion were exercised ori the
illtistrious personage to whom in a very few years he waft

BURKE. 347

gratefully to acknowledge his obligations for the indepen-
dence and comfort of his latter days, we cannot be sur-
prised that those who intend an uniform and unqualified
panegyric on his public life, wish to suppress his conduct
during this memorable period.

The next and last sera of his history is, perhaps, the
most important of all, as it is that concerning which the
opinions of the world are still divided. We allude to his
interference, for such it may be called, with the conduct
and progress of the French revolution. Many of his friends
in parliament, as well as numbers of wise and good men
out of it, augured from the meeting of the states-general
of France, great benefit to that nation, of which the go-
vernment was considered as despotic and oppressive ; and
some were sanguine enough to predict a new and happy
order of things to all the nations connected with France,
wheri its government should become more free. These senti-
ments, we can well remember, were not only general, but
perhaps universal, although they might not always pro-
ceed from the same sources. There were some who loved
liberty, and would hail its dawn in any country. There
Were others who hated the French government as the per-
petual enemy of Great Britain. Mr, Burke saw. nothing
in the proceedings of the French which was favourable
either to liberty or peace. He was well acquainted with
the genius of the French people, and with the principles
of those philosophers, as they called themselves, by whoni
a total revolution in church and state had long been pro-
jected ; and from the commencement of their career in
the constituent assembly, when they established, as the
foundation of all legal government, the metaphysical doc-
trine of the " rights of man," he predicted that torrent of
anarchy and infidelity which they have since attempted to -
pour over all Europe. Mr. Fox, and some of the other
leading men in opposition, considered this as a vain fear,
and a coolness took place between them and Mr. Burke,,
although they continued for some time to act together in
parliament. In the mean time he published his oelebrated
*' Reflections on the French Revolution/* the iustantaneous
effect of which was to reduce the nation, hitherto unani-
mous or indifferent on the subject, to two distinct parties, ,
the one admiring the glorious prospepts arising from the
French revolution, the other dreading its consequences
to' this nation in particular, and to the world at large/

348 B U ft K E.

Many able writers of the former class took up their pen*
on this occasion, in what were called " answers*' to Mr.
Burke, and some of them were certainly written with great
ability. The controversy was long and obstinate, and can-
not be said to have terminated until the commencement of
the war in 1793, when the changes of government and
practice in France rendered most of the points discussed
with Mr. Burke no longer of immediate importance.
France, as he had predicted, was plunged into barbarous
and atrocious anarchy, and the friends of her projected
liberty, dearly as they clung to the idea, were obliged to
confess themselves disappointed in every hope, while Mr*
Burke's predictions were erroneous in one only, namely,
that France was now blotted out of the map of Europe.

In the mean time, an open rupture took place between
Mr. Burke and his oldest friends in opposition. In 1790
he had so far expressed his dislike of experiments on the
established laws and constitution, as to oppose the repeal
of the test-act, and a motion for the reform of parliament.
With regafd to the latter, we know not that he ever was
friendly, but it is certain that he once maintained the pro-
priety of relieving the dissenters from certain disabilities.
He was now, however, as he declares in his " Reflections,**
endeavouring to " preserve consistency by varying his
means to secure the unity of his end ; and when the equi-
poise of the vessel in which he sails may be in danger of
overloading it upon one side, is desirous of carrying the
small weight of his reasons to that which may preserve the
equipoise." He had identified the whole body of dis-
senters with Drs. Priestley and Price, and from their wri-
tings, particularly those of Priestley, saw nothing but a
co-operation with the French in revolutionary measures.
Such were his sentiments, when, in 1791, a bill was pro-
posed for the formation of a constitution in Canada. In
discussing it Mr. Burke entered on the general principles
6f legislation, considered the doctrines of the rights of
man, proceeded to its offspring, the constitution of France,
and expressed his conviction that there was a design formed
in this country against its constitution.

After some members of his own party had called Mr.
Burke to order, Mr. Fox, after declaring his conviction
that the British Gonstitution, though defective in theory*
was in practice excellently adapted to this country, re-
peated bis praises of the French revolution } he thought

BURKE. 349

it, on the whole, one of the most glorious events in the
history of mankind ; and proceeded to exgress his dissent
from Mr. Burke's opinions on the subject/ as inconsistent
with just views of the inherent rights of mankind. These,
besides, were, he said, inconsistent with Mr. Burke's for-
mer principles. Mr. Burke, in reply, said : " Mr. FoX
has treated me with harshness and malignity ; after having
harassed with his light troops in the skirmishes of order,
he brought the heavy artillery of his own great abilities to
bear on me." He maintained that the French constitution
and general system were replete with anarchy, impiety,
vice, and misery ; that the discussion of a new polity for a
province that had been under the French, and was now
under the English government, was a proper opportunity
of comparing the French and British constitutions. He
denied the charge of inconsistency ; his opinions on go-
vernment, he insisted, had been the same during all his
political life. He said, Mr. Fox and he had often differed,
and that there had been no loss of friendship between
them ; but there is something in the " cursed French revo-
lution" which envenoms every thing. On this Mr. Fox
whispered : " There is no loss of friendship between us."
Mr. Burke, with great warmth, answered : €€ There is ! I
know the price of my conduct; our friendship is at an
end." Mr. Fox was very greatly agitated by this renun-
ciation of friendship, and made many concessions ; but in
the course of his speech still maintained that Mr. Burke
had formerly held very different principles. It would be
difficult, says' one of his biographers, to determine with
certainty, whether constitutional irritability or public prin-
ciple was the chief cause of Mr. Burke's sacrifice of that
friendship which he had so long cherished, and of which
the talents and qualities of its object rendered, him so
worthy. It would perhaps be as difficult to prove that
such a sacrifice was necessary, and we fear that his recon-
ciliation with lord North and his quarrel with Mr. Fox
must, even by the most favourable of his panegyrists, be.
placed among the inconsistencies of this otherwise truly
eminent character. From this time, Messrs. Burke and
Fox remained at complete variance, nor have we ever
beard that any personal interview 'took place afterwards
hetween them.

Mr, Burke b£ing now associated wit^Mi*.1 Pitt, although
neither soliciting, nor invited into any public station, con*

350 BURKE.

tinued to write from time to time, memorials and remark*
on the state of France, and the alliance of the great powers
of Europe that was formed against the new order of things
in that distracted country. Some of these were published
after his death, but as all of them are included in his col-
lected works, it is unnecessary now to specify their dates
and titles. Having resolved to quit the bustle of public
life as soon as the trial of Mr. Hastings should be con-
cluded, he vacated bis seat when that gentleman was ac-
quitted, and retired to his villa at Beaconsfield, where on
Aug. 2, 1794, he met with a heavy domestic loss in the
death of his only son. In the beginning of the same year
be had lost his brother Richard, whom he tenderly loved ;
but; though this reiterated stroke of death deeply affected
bim, it never relaxed the vigour of bis mind, nor lessened
the interest which he took in the public welfare. In this
retreat he was disturbed by a very unprovoked attack
upon his character by some distinguished speakers in the
{louse of peers. Soon after the death of bis son, his ma*
jesty bestowed a pension of 1200/. for his own life and thai
of his wife on the civil list, and two other pensions of 2500/1
a year for three lives, payable out of the four and a half
per cent. These gifts were now represented as a reward
^or having changed his principles, and deserted his friends,
although they were bestowed after he had left parliament.
This charge he repelled in a letter addressed to earl Fitz-
william, written in terms of eloquent and keen sarcasm.
. When the appearance of amelioration in the principles
and government of France induced his majesty to make
overtures of peace to the French Directory, Mr* Burke
resumed his pen, and gave his opinions against the safety
of such a negociation in a series of letters entitled :
" Thoughts on the prospect of a Regicide Peace." This
was his last work, and in point of style and reasoning not
inferior to any he bad produced oft the subject of the
French character and government.

From the beginning of July 1797, his health rapidly de-
clined; but his understanding exerted itself with undi-
minished force and uncontracted range. On the 7 th of
that, mop th, when the French revolution was mentioned,
^e spojse with pleasure $f the conscious rectitude of his
own intentions in what he had done and written respecting
£; ^treated those about him to helieve, that if any un-
guarde4 ejrp/ssaip*1 of his oa the subject had $ffm*d$d*Ujr

BURKE. 451

pf hjs former friends, no offence was by him, intended ; and
he declared his unfeigned forgiveness of all who bad on
account of his writings, or for any other cause, endea-
voured to do him an injury. On the day following, whilst
one of his friends, assisted by his servant,, was carrying
him. into another room, he faintly uttered, " God bless
yoq," fell back, and instantly expired in the sixty-eighth
year of his age. He was interred on the 15th, in the
church of BeaconsBeld, close to his son and brother*

Edmund Burke in his person was about five feet, ten
inches high, erect, and well formed ; with a countenance
rather soft and open ; and except by an occasional bend
of bis brow, caused by his being near-sighted, indicated
none of those great traits of mind by hip countenance which
he was otherwise well known to possess. The best print
pf him is from a half-length by sir Joshua Reynolds, painted
when Mr. Burke was in the meridian of life.

Of his talents and acquirements it would be difficult to
speak, did we not trust to his long and justly-established
fame to fill up the deficiencies of our description. The
richness of his mind illustrated every subject he touched
upon. In conversing with him be attracted by his novelty?
variety, and research ; in parting from him, we involuntarily
exclaimed " What an extraordinary man !" As an orator,
though not so grand and commanding in his manner as
lord Chatham, whose form of countenance and penetrating
eye gave additional force to bis natural and acquired ta-
lents, yet he had excellencies which always gave him sin-*
gular pre-eminence in the senate. He was not (though it
was evident he drew from these great resources) like Ci-
cero, or Depaosthenes, or any one else ; the happy power
of diversifying his matter, and placing it in various rela-
tions, was all his own ; and here he was generally truly
sublime and beautiful. He had not, perhaps, always the
9Xt of concluding in the right place, partly owing to the
vividness of his fancy, and the redundancy of his matter ;
and partly owing to that irritability of temper which he
himself apologizes for to his friends in his last notice of
them.; but those speeches which he gave the public do not
partake of this fault, which. shew that in bis closet his judg*
raent returned to its v^ual standard.

As a writer he is still higher; and judging of him from
his earliest to his latest productions, he must be consi-
dered as one of those prodigies which *re tforoeumeft givea.

352 BURKE.

9

to the world to be admired, but cannot be imitated; he
possessed all kinds of styles, and gave them to the bead
and heart in a most exquisite manner : pathos, taste, ar-
gument, experience, sublimity, were all the ready colours
of bis palette, and from his pencil they derived their
brightest dyes. He was one of the few whose writings
broke the fascinating links of party, and compelled all to
admire the brilliancy of his pen. He was a firm professor
of the Christian religion, and exercised its principles in
its duties ; wisely considering, " That whatever disunites
man from God, disunites man from man." He looked
within himself for the regulation of his conduct, which was
exemplary in all the relations of life \ be was warm in his
affections, simple in his manners, plain in his table, ar-
rangements, &c. &c. and so little affected with the follies
and dissipations of what is called " the higher classes,"
that he was totally ignorant of them ; so that this great
man, with all his talents, would be mere lumber in a mo-
dern drawing-room ; not but that he excelled in all the re-
finements as well as strength of conversation, and could at
times badinage with great skill and natural ease ; but what
are these to a people where cards and dice constitute their
business; and fashionable phrases, and fashionable vices,
their conversation ?

His entire works have been published by his executors,
Drs. King and Laurence, in 5 vols. 4to, and 10 vols. 8vo,
and will ever form a stupendous monument of his great
and unrivalled talents. For reasons, however, which we
have already hinted, they will require to be read by the
political student with a considerable portion of that judg-
ment which, in the author, was frequently paralyzed by
the rapidity of his ideas, and tbe bewitching seductions of
his imagination. And wh^n the details of his public and
private life shall be given frpm more authentic sources^
and sanctioned by his correspondence, which is said to be
extensive, no reasonable doubt can be entertained that ha
will deserve to be considered as the most illustrious polU
cal character of the eighteenth century. l

BURKITT (William), a celebrated commentator on
the New Testament, the son of the rev. Miles Burkitt^
who was ejected for nonconformity, was born at Hitchamj
« • *

* Principally from Bisset's Life of Burke.— Dr. Gleig's Supplement to the*
Encyclopaedia Britannica, and a well-wriiteu Life in the European Magazine for
1797.— Gwrt. Mag. 1197, *c

I"*

BURKITT. S5S

in Northamptonshire, July 25, 1650. He Was sent first to
a school at Stow Market, and from thence to another at
Cambridge. After his recovery from the small pox, which
he caught there, he was admitted of Pembroke-half, at
the age of no more than fourteen years ; and upon his re-
moval from the university, when he had taken his degree,
he became a chaplain in a private gentleman's family,
where he continued some years. He entered young upon
the ministry, being ordained by bishop Reynolds ; and the
first employment which he had was at Milden, in Suffolk,
where he continued twenty-one years a constant preacher
(in a plain, .practical, and affectionate manner), first as
curate, and afterwards as rector of that church. In 1692
be was promoted to the vicarage of Dedham, in Essex,
where he continued to the time of his death, which hap-
pened in the latter end of October, 1703. He was a pious
and charitable man. He made great collections for the
French Protestants in the years 1687, &c. and by his great
care, pains, and charges, procured a worthy minister to
go and settle in Carolina. Among other charities, he be-
queathed by his last will and testament the house wherein
be lived, with the lands thereunto belonging, to be an
habitation for the lecturer that should be chosen from time
to time to preach the lecture at Dedham. He wrote some
books, and among the rest a Commentary upon the New
Testament, in the same plain, practical, and affectionate
manner in which he preached. This has often been re-
printed, in folio, and- lately with some alterations and im-
provements, by the rev. Dr. Glasse. Mr. Burkitt's other
works are small pious tracts for the use of his parish-
ioners.1

BURLAMAQUI (John James), an eminent civilian,
descended from one of those* noble families of Lucca,
which, upon their embracing the Protestant religion, were
obliged, about two centuries and a half since, to take re-
fuge in Genfeva, was born at Geneva in 1694, where he
became honorary professor of jurisprudence in 1720.
After travelling into France, Holland, and England, he
commenced the exercise of his functions, and rendered
his school famous and flourishing. One of his pupils was
prince Frederic of Hesse-Cassel, who, in 1734, took him
fo his residence, and detained him there for some time*

* Life by Parkhurst, 170^*™.
ViM.. VII. A A

«* BUKLAMAQ'UL

Upon his return to Geneva, he surrendered his professor-
•hip; and in 1740 entered into the grand council, and,
as a member of this illustrious body, he continued to serve
his fellow-citizens till his death, in 1750. As a writer,
he was distinguished less by his originality than by his
clear and accurate method of detailing and illustrating the
principles of others $ among whom, are Grotius, Puffen-
dorf, and Barbeyrac. His works are : '* Principles of
Natural Law," Geneva, 1747, 4to, often reprinted, trans-
lated into various languages, and long used as a text-book
in the university of Cambridge ; and " Political Law,'*
Geneva, 1751, 4to, a posthumous work, compiled from
the notes of his pupils, which was translated into English
by Dr. Nugent, 1752, «vo. His " Principles of Natural
Law'* were re-published in the original by Professor de
Felice, Yverdun, 1766, 2 vols, with additions and im- .
provements. Another posthumous work of our author,
was his " Elemens du Droit Naturel," being bis text-book
on the Law of Nature, and admirable for perspicuity and
happy arrangement Burlamaqui.was much esteemed it*
private life, and respected as a lover of the fine arts, and
a patron of artists. He had a valuable collection of pic-
tures and prints \ spid a medal of him was executed by
Dassier, in a style of superior excellency, r

BURLEIGH (Lord). See CECIL. *

BURMAN (Francis), the first upon record of a very*
learned family, and professor of divinity at Utrecht, was
the son of Peter Barman, a Protestant minister at Fran-
kendal, and was born at Leyden in 1632, where he pur-
sued his studies. At the ^Lge of twenty-three he was
invited by the Dutch congregation at Hanau, in Germany,
r to be their pastor, and thence he was recalled to Leyden,

' and chosen regent of the* college in which be bad been

educated Before he had been here a year, his high re-
putation occasioned his removal to Utrecht, where he was
appointed professor of divinity, and one of the preachers.
Here he acquired additional fame by his learning, and the?
flourishing state to which he advanced the university. He
was reckoned an excellent philosopher, an eminent scholar
in the learned languages, and a good preacher. He died
Nov. 10, 1679. His principal works are Commentaries on
some of the books of the Old Testament, in Dutch, be*

1 Diet Hut—Itots's Cy€lopadift*

BURMA N. 3$$

tides which he wrote in Latin: 1. "An Abridgment of
Divinity," Utrecht, 1671, 2 vols. 4to, often reprinted.
2. " De Moralitate Sabbati," 1665, which occasioned a
controversy with Essenius. 3. " Narratio de controversiis
nuperius in academia Ultrajectina mods, &c." Utrecht,
1677, 4to. 4. " Exercitationes Academical," Rotterdam,
168$, 2 vols. 4to. 5. " Tractatus de Passione Christi,"
1695, 4to. 6. His " Academical discourses," published
by Grsevius, with some account of the author, Utrecht,
1700, 4to, and the same year they were translated and
printed in Dutch.1

BURMAN (Francis), one of the sons of the preceding,
was born at Utrecht, in 1671, studied polite literature
lender Gr^vius, and afterwards went to the university of
Leyden, where he entered upon his philosophical, mathe-
matical, and divinity course* After he had finished his
academical studies, he was chosen pastor of the church of
Coudom, in Frieseland, and three years after, in 1698,
was invited to that of the Brille. In 1702 he accompanied,
as minister, a deputation of his countrymen to England.
On. his return he preached at Enchuysen, and at Amster-
dam, where he remained ten years* In 1715 he was ap-
pointed divinity-professor at Utrecht, where he died in
It 19, leaving by his wife, Elizabeth Thierrens, four sons,
the eldest of whom, John, became in 1738 professor of
botany a£ Amsterdam; the second, Francis, was minister
at Nimeguen; the third, Abraham, a merchant at Am-
sterdam ; and Peter, the fourth, professor of humanity at
Franeker. His works are: 1. " Burmannorum pietas,
gratissimae beati parentis memorise communi nomine ex-
hibita," with some letters of Burman and Limborg, Utrecht,
1J01, 8vo. 2. " A defence of his father," in Dutch,
1704, against the charge of Spinosism, brought against
him by Limborg. His other works are chj^fly orations on
points of theology, sacred poetry, &c*

BURMAN (Peter), the eminent philologist, was bro-
ther to the preceding, and born at Utrecht, June 26, 1668.
His father died when he was in bis eleventh year, by which
event be was thrown entirely on the care of his mother,
by whose diligence, piety, and prudence, his education
was so regulated, that he had scarcely any reason, but
filial tenderness, to regret the loss of his father. About

i MtrerL— Barman's Trajectum Eruditunu J Ibid.

A A 2

356 BURMAN.

this time be was sent to the public school at Utrecht, to
be instructed in the learned languages, and after passing
through the classics with much reputation, was admitted
into the university in his thirteenth year. Here he was
committed to the care of the learned Gracvius, whose re-
gard for his father (of which we took some notice in his
life) induced him to superintend his studies with more
than common attention, which was soon confirmed and in-
creased by his discoveries- of the genius of his pupil, and
his observation of his diligence. He was soon enabled to
determine that Burman was remarkably adapted to classical
studies, and to predict the great advances that he would
make, by industriously pursuing the direction of his ge-
nius. Animated by the encouragement of a tutor so
celebrated, he continued the vigour of his application,
and for several years not only attended the lectures of

* Graevius, but made use of every other opportunity of im-
provement with such diligence, as might justly be expected
to produce an uncommon proficiency.

Having thus attained a sufficient degree of classical
knowledge to qualify him for inquiries into other sciences,

^ he applied himself to the study of the law, and published
a dissertation, " De Vicesima Haereditatum," which he
publicly defended, under the professor Van Muyden, with
sifch learning and eloquence, as procured him great ap-
plause. He then went to Leyden, where he studied for
.a year, under M. de Voider, a man of great celebrity,
and attended at the same time Ryckius's explanations of
Tacitus, and James GronoviuVs lectures on the Greek
writers, and has often been heard to acknowledge, at an
advanced age, the assistance which he reeeived from them.
After passing a year at Leyden, he returned to Utrecht,
and once more applied himself to philological studies, by
the assistance of Grsevius; and here, in March 1688, he
was advanced to the degree of doctor of laws, on which
occasion he published a learned dissertation " De Trans-
actionjbus," and defended it with his usual eloquence,
learning, and success. He then travelled into Switzer-
land and Germany, where he gained an increase both of
fame and learning.

On his return he engaged in the practice of the law,
and was attaining high reputation in the courts of justice,
when he was summoned in 1691, by the magistrates of
Utrecht, to undertake the charge of collector of the tenths,

BURMAN. 35T

an office in that place of great honour, and which he ac-
cepted therefore as a proof of their confidence and esteem.
While thus engaged, he married Eve Clotterboke, a young
l^dy of a good family, by whom he had ten children, two.
of whom only survived him. But neither public business, -
nor domestic cares, detained Burman from the prosecution
of his literary inquiries ; by which he so much endeared
himself to- Graevius, that he was recommended by him to
the regard of the university of Utrecht, and accordingly, in
1696, was chosen professor of eloquence and history, to
which was added, after some time, the professorship of
the Greek language^ and afterwards that of politics ; so
various did they conceive his abilities, and so extensive
bis knowledge. Having now more frequent opportunities
of displaying his learning, he rose, in a short time, to a
high reputation^ of which the great number of his auditors
was a sufficient proof, and which the proficiency of his
pupils shewed not to be accidental, or undeserved.

In 1714, during the university vacation of six weeks, he
visited Paris, for the purposes of literary research. In
this visit he contracted an acquaintance, among other
learned men, with the celebrated Montfaucon ; with whom-
he conversed, at his first interview, with no other character
than that of a traveller; but their discourse turning upon
ancient learning, the stranger soon gave such proofs of his
attainments, that Montfaucon declared him a very uncom-
mon traveller, and confessed his curiosity to know his
name ; which he no sooner heard than he rose from his
seat, and, embracing him with the utmost ardour, ex*
pressed his satisfaction at having seen the man whose pro-
ductions of various kinds be had so often praised ; and as a
real proof of his regard, offered not only to procure him
an immediate admission to all the libraries of Paris, but to
those in remoter provinces, which are not generally open
to strangers, and undertook to ease the expences of his
journey, by prcjcuring him entertainment in all the mo-
nasteries of his order. This favour, however, Burman was
hindered from accepting, by the necessity of returning to
his professorship at Utrecht.

He had already extended to distant parts his reputation
for knowledge of ancient history, by a treatise " De Vec-
tigalibus populi Romani," on the revenues of the Romans;
and for his skill in Greek learning, and in ancient coins,
by a tract called " Jupiter Fulgurator," and after his

358 BURMAN.

return from Paris, he published " Pbaedrus," first with the
notes of various commentators, and afterwards with hid
own. He printed also many poems, and made many ora-
tions upon different subjects, and procured an impression
of the epistles of Gudius and Sanavius. While he was
thus employed, the professorships of history, eloquence,
and the Greek language, became vacant at Leyden, by th£
death of Perizonius, which Burman's reputation incited
the curators of the university to offer him upori very liberal
terms, which, after some demur, he accepted, and on en-
tering on his office, in 1715, pronounced an oration upon
the duty and office of a professor of polite literature, " De
publici humanioris discipline professoris proprio officio et
munere." He was twice rector of the university, and dis-
charged that important office with ability. Indeed, by bis
conduct in every station he gained so much esteem, that
when the professorship of history of the United Provinces
became vacant, it was conferred on him, as an addition to '
his honours and revenues whidi he might justly claim ;
and afterwards, as a proof of the continuance of their re-
gard, they made him chief librarian, an office which was
the more acceptable to him, as it united his business with
his pleasure, and gave him an opportunity at the same
time of superintending the library, and carrying 6n his
studies.

- Such was his course of life, till, in his old age, leaving
off his practice of taking exercise, he began to be afflicted
with the scurvy, which tormenting disease he bore, though
not without some degree of impatience, yet without de-
spondency, and applied himself in the intermission of his
pains, to seek for comfort in the duties of religion. While
he lay in this state of misery, he received an account of
the promotion of two of his grandsons, and a catalogue of
the king^ of France*s library, presented to him by the com-
mand of the king himself, and expressed some satisfaction
on all these occasions ; but soon diverted his thoughts to
the more important consideration of his eternal state, int6
which he passed March 31> 1741, in the seventy-third
year of bis age.

He was a man of moderate stature, of great strength
and activity, which he preserved by temperate diet, with-
out medical exactness, and by allotting proportions of his
time to relaxation and amusement, not suffering his studies
to exhaust his strength, but relieving them by frequent

B U R M A N. 35*

intermissions. In his hours of relaxation he was gay, and
sometimes gave way so far to his temper, naturally sati-
rical, that he drew upon himself the ill-will of those who
had been unfortunately the subjects of his mirth ; but
enemies so provoked be thought it beneath him to regard
or to pacify; for he was fiery, but not malignant, dis-
dained dissimulation, and in his gay or serious hours, pre-
served a settled detestation of falsehood. So that he was
an open and undisguised friend or enemy, entirely unac-
quainted with the artifices of flatterers, but so judicious in
the choice of friends, and so constant in his affection to
them, that those with whom he had contracted familiarity
in his youth> had, for the greatest part, his confidence in
his old age.

His abilities, which would probably have enabled him
to have excelled in any kind of learning, were chiefly em-
ployed, as his station required, on polite literature, in which
he arrived at very uncommon knowledge, but his superiority,
however, appears rather from judicious compilations than
original productions. His style is lively and masculine, but
not without harshness and constraint, nor, perhaps, always
polished to that purity which some writers have attained.
He was at least instrumental to the instruction of mankind,
by the publication of many valuable performances, which
lay neglected by the greater part of the learned world ;
and, if reputation he estimated by usefulness, he may
claim a higher degree in the ranks of learning than some
others of happier elocution, or more vigorous imagination.
The malice or suspicion of those who either did not know,
or did not love him, had gjiven rise to some doubts about
his religion, which he took an opportunity of removing on
his death-bed, by a voluntary declaration of his faith, his
hope of everlasting salvation from the revealed promises
of God, and his confidence in the merits of our Redeemer,
of the sincerity of which declaration his whole behaviour
in his long illness was an incontestable proof; and he
concluded his life, which had been illustrious for many
virtues, by exhibiting an example of true piety. His
literary contests are now forgotten, and although we may
agree with Le Clerc, that Burman might have been bet-
ter employed than in illustrating such authors as Petronius
Arbiter, yet we are at a loss to find an apology for Le
Clerc's personal abuse and affected contempt for Burman.
Burman has, by the gerferal vQJice of modern critics, been

)»

™

S60 BURMAN,

allowed the merit of giving to the public some of the best
edition* of the Latin classics, among which we may enu-*-
mecate his 1. " Phaedrus," Leyden, 1727, 4to. 2. "Qutn-
tilian," ibid. 17^0, 2 vols. 4to. 3. "Valerius Flaccus,
Traj. ad Rhenum (Utrecht), 1702, 12mo. 4. " Ovid,
Amst 1727, 4 vols. 4to. To this admirable edition, ac-
cording to the Bipont editors, he had composed a long
and learned preface, which did not appear until fifteen
years after his death, when it was published under the
title " P. Burmanni Preefatio ad Ovidii editionem majorem
excusam Amst. 1727," 175C, 4to. 5. " Poetoe Latini
Minores," 1731, 2 vols. 4to. 6. " Velleius Paterculus,"
Leyden, 1719, and 1744, 2 vols. 8vo. 7. " Virgil,"
Amst. 1746, 4 vols. 4to. 8. "Suetonius," ibid. 1736, 2
vols. 4to. 9. " Lucan," Leyden, 1740, 4to. 10. " Bu~
chanani Opera," Leyden, 1725, 2 vols. 4to. To these
may be .added: " Sylloges Epistolarum a viris illustribus
Bcriptarum," Leyden, 1727, 5 vols. 4to, a work of great
curiosity and utility in literary history ; and his " Ora-
tiones, antea sparsim editae, et ineditis auctce. Accedit
carminum Appendix," Hague, 1759, 4to. To these ora-
tions the editor annexed his funeral oration, pronounced
by the learned Mr. Oesterdyke, professor of medicine in
Leyden, which contains those particulars of his life, which
are given above, and were first translated by Dn Johnson,
and published in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1742. l
> BURMAN (Gaspard) is said to have been the son of
the preceding, but little is recorded of him, unless that he
was a magistrate of Utrecht, and died in 1755. He wrote
in Latin a " Life of Pope Adrian VI." Utrecht 1727, and
in 1733 a quarto volume, to which we have been consi-
derably indebted, entitled " Trajectum eruditum," or,
an account of the learned men of Utrecht. *

BURMAN (Peter), called the second, or the younger,
was son tP Francis Burman and nephew to the first Francis
Burwan, whose life we have given above* and was cele-
brated for philosophical knowledge. He was born at Am*
pterdapa in 1713, and educated principally by his uncle.
He rose to the offices of professor of history and eloquence
at Franeker; and in 1742 removed to Amsterdam, where

1 Gent. Mag. ubi supra, and Johnson's Works. — Moreri. — Dibdin'g Classics.
.— Saxii Onomast.*-But we may Jiere remark that there is some differences in the
relationship of the following Burtnans in our authorities, which, we fear, wt
Jjave not been able to reconcile, * Diet, Hist.«— Saxii Onomast,

BURMAN, 361

he died Jane 24, 1778, of an apoplexy. A year before, he
had resigned his professorship, and had retired to a country
house between Leyden and the Hague. He published
editions, 1. of " Aristophanes," properly Bergler's edition,
but under the care of Burman, Leyden, 1760, 2 vols. 4to,
2. " Claudian," Amst. 1760, 4to. 3. " Anthologta," of
the Latin poets, Amst. 1759, 2 vols. 4to. 4. " Propertius/*
Utrecht, 1780, 4to, a posthumous work superintended by
Santenius, by far the best edition of Propertius ever
published. 5. " Poematum Libri Quatuor," Leyden,
1774, 4to.1

BURMAN (Johf), father of the preceding, once a pu-
pil of Boerhaave, and professor of botany at Amsterdam,
employed much labour and expence in editing various bo-
tanical works, particularly those giving accounts of plants
procured from the Indies. In 1736 he published an edition
of Weinman's Herbal, to which he added several plates
with African plants. His next publication, in which he
had the assistance of Linnaeus, then a young man, was the
" Thesaurus Zeylanicus, exbibens Plautas in Insula Zey-
lana nascentes, Iconibus illustratus," 4 to, 1737, taken from
various travellers, with new descriptions and plates. The
following year he was appointed professor to the botanical
garden at Amsterdam, and soon after published " Raria-
runj Africanarum Plantarum Decades Decern," 4to, prin-
cipally from Witsen and Vanderstell, to which, however,
he made several additions. He translated Rumphius's great
work into Latin, which he enriched with valuable notes,
and published under the title of " Everhardi Rumphii
Herbarium Amboiuense, continens plantas in ea, et ad-
jacentibus Insulis repertas." His last labour was procuring
engravings to be executed from the drawings of American
plants left by Plumier, to which he &dded descriptions,
with the modern and former names. He died at a very
advanced age in 1779. It must not be forgot that he was
one of the earliest and kindest patrons of Linnaeus, and
when the latter, who had been introduced to him by Boer-
haave, pleaded his poverty as an excuse why he could not
remain at Amsterdam, Dr. Burman boarded and lodged
him at bis house for a considerable time, free of all ex-
pence. He was not always so liberal, or even courteous

* Diet. Hist— Saxii Onomast— Harles de Vitis Philologoram, Tol. I. a siofU*
Uf accouq£ of B imp an, and written in his life-time.

$62 BURN.

to strangers of eminence, according to the account of Dr. ♦

Smith in his Tour, p. 29. l '

BURN (Richard), an eminent -law-writer, was born at
Winton in Westmoreland some time about the beginning
of the last century; he was educated at Queen's college,
Oxford, which university conferred on him March 22, 1762,
the honorary degree of LL. D. He died at Orton, of
which place he had been vicar forty-nine years, Novem.-.
bet 20, 1785. He was one of his majesty's justices of the
peace for the counties of Westmorland and Cumberland*
and was made by bishop Lyttelton chancellor of the diocese
of Carlisle. In 1755, he first published bis " Justice of
Peace and Parish Officer, upon a plan entirely new, and
comprehending all the law to the present time,** 2 vols,
ftvo, reprinted in the same form in 1756, and in the same
year in folio, in 1757, 3 vols. Svo, &c. The fourteenth
edition was enlarged to 4 vols. 8vo, in which form it has
passed, with gradual amendments and improvements,
through various editions ; the last of which is the twenty-
first. In 1760 he published his " Ecclesiastical Law,'* 2
vols. 4to, which afterwards was reprinted in 4 vols. 8vo. .
Both works were strongly recommended by Judge Black-
stone, and both are extraordinary examples of unrivalled
popularity and permanence. In 1764 he wrote "A His-
tory of the Poor Laws," 8vo, and in 1776 " Observations
on the Bill proposed in parliament 'for erecting County
Workhouses." He likewise published " The History and
Antiquity of the two counties of Westmoreland and Cum-
berland," in conjunction with Joseph Nicojson, esq. ne-
phew to the bishop of Carlisle, 1771, 2 vols. 4to, in which
work he has given the above brief notices of himself. l

BURNABY (Andrew), D. D, archdeacon of Leicester
and vicar of Greenwich, was born in 1732, at Asfordby in
Leicestershire, of which place his father, grandfather,
and great grandfather, were in succession patrons and
rectors, as his youngest brother is at this time. He was
elected into Westminster college in 1748, but removed
from that school, and was entered of Queen's college,
Cambridge, where he took his bachelor's degree in 1754,
and his master's in 1757. After having travelled through
the middle settlements in North America in 1759 and 1760.

1 Rees's Cyclopedia — Stoever's Life of Linnaeus, p. 79 et seqq.
* Hist, of Westmorland ubi sup* a.— -Bridgtaan's Legal Bibliography.

B tJ R N A B Y. * S63

Br. Burnaby was appointed chaplain to the British factory
at Leghorn, were he resided five .years ; in occasional ex-
cursions visited Corsica, and almost every part of Italy ;
and during the last of those years (sir John Dick haying
obtained his majesty's leave to return to England for his
private concerns) had the honour to do the consular busi-
ness^ by the appointment of government, under the deno-
mination of proconsul. In 1769 he was presented to the
vicarage of Greenwich; and in 1786 the archdeaconry of
Leicester Wfes conferred on him by bishop Thuriow, with-
out the least expectation or solicitation on his part ; both
which preferments he enjoyed till his death, March 9, 1812,
His widow, the heiress of John Edwyn, esq. of Bagrave in
Leicestershire, died on the 16th pf the same month, aged
Seventy-six. Dr. Burnaby was distinguished by the purest
integrity and benevolence of heart, the most unaffected
urbanity of manners, and a lively and ardent zeal for his
profession. Jlis principal works were, 1. u Travels through
the middle settlements in North America in the years 1759
and 1760, with observations upon the state of the colonies,'*
1775, 4to, of which a third edition, considerably enlarged,
was published in 1798-9. 2. Various Sermons, preached
on Fast, Thanksgiving, and other public occasions, and
Some charges, reprinted together in one vol. 8vo, 1805.
JSost of them were highly valued both for matter and man-
ner. He printed also, for the use of particular friends,
K A Journal of a Tour to Corsica in the year 1766, with a
series of original letters from general Paoli to the author,
referring to the principal events which have taken place in
that island from the year 1769 to 1802, with explanatory
faotes," 1804. l

BURNET (Gilbert), the celebrated bishop of Salisbury,
vfas born at Edinburgh, Sept. 18, 1643. His father was
the younger brother of an ancient family in the county of
Aberdeen, and was bred to the civil law, which he studied
for seven years in France. His excessive modesty so far
depressed his abilities, that he never made a shining figure
at the bar, though he was universally esteemed to be a
hian of judgment and knowledge in his profession. He
Was remarkably generous in his practice, never taking a
fee from the poor, nor from a clergyman, when he sued
in the right of his church ; and bestowing great part of

» Gent. Ma$. 1812.

364 BURNET.

bis profits in acts of charity and friendship. In 1637,
when the troubles in Scotland were breaking out, he was
so disgusted at the conduct of the governing bishops there,
whom he censured with great freedom, and was, at the
same time, so remarkable for his strict and exemplary life,
that he was generally called a Puritan. But when he saw,
that instead of reforming abuses in the episcopal order, the
order itself was struck at, he adhered to it with, great zeal
and constancy, as he did to the rights of the crown, not
once complying with that party which afterwards prevailed
in both nations. For though he agreed with Barclay and
Grotius (with the latter of whom he had been intimately
acquainted) as to their notions of resistance where the laws
are broken through by a limited sovereign, yet he did not
think that was then the' case in Scotland. He married the
sister of the famous sir Archibald Johnstoun, called lord
Warristoun ; who, 4ur*ng the c^1^ wars, was at the head
of the presbyterian party, and so zealously attached to
that interest, that neither friendship nor alliance could
dispose him to shew favour to those who refused the solemn
league and covenant. Our author's father, persisting in
this refusal, was obliged, at three several times, to quit
the kingdom; and, when his-*return was afterwards con-
nived at, as his principles would not permit him to renew
the practice of the law, much less to accept the prefer-
ments in it offered him by Oliver Cromwell, he retired to
his own estate in the country, where he lived till the resto-
ration, when he was made one of the lords of the session by
the title of lord Cramond. His wife, our author's mother,
was very eminent for her piety and virtue, and a warm
zealot for the presbyterian discipline, in which way she
had been very strictly educated.

Our author received the first rudiments of his education
from his father, under whose care he made so quick, a
progress, that, at ten years of age, he perfectly under-
stood the Latin tongue ; at which time he was sent to the
college of Aberdeen, where he acquired the Greek, and
went through the usual course of Aristotelian logic and
philosophy, with uncommon applause. He was scarcely
fourteen when he commenced master of arts, and then ap-
plied" himself to the study of the civil law ; but, after a
year's diligent application to that science, he changed his
resolution, and turned his thoughts wholly to the study
of divinity. At eighteen years of age, he was put upon

B U R N E T. 36S

*

bis trial as a probationer or expectant preacher ; and, at
the same time, was offered the presentation to a very good
benefice, by his cousin-germah sir Alexander Burnet, but
thinking himself too young for the cure of souls, he mo-
destly declined that offer. His education, thus happily
begun, was finished by the conversation and advice of the
inost eminent Scotch divines. In 1663, about two years
after his father's death, he came into England, where he
first visited the two universities. At Cambridge he had
an opportunity of conversing with Dr. Cud worth, Dr.
Pearson, Dr. Burnet, author of the " Sacred Theory,"
and Dr. Henry More, one of whose sayings, in relation to
rites and ceremonies, then made a great impression on
him : " None of these," said he, " are bad enough to
make men bad, and 1 am sure none of them are good
enough to make men good." At Oxford our author was
much caressed, on account of his knowledge of the council*
and fathers, by Dr. Fell, and Dr. Pocock, that great mas-
ter of Oriental learning. He was much improved there,
in his mathematics and natural philosophy, by the instruc-
tions of Dr. Wallis, who likewise gave him a letter of re-
commendation to the learned and pious Mr. Boyle at Lon-
* don. Upon his arrival there, he was introduced to all the
most noted divines, as Tillotson, Stillingfleet, Patrick,
Lloyd, Whitcbcot, and Wilkins ; and, among others of the
laity, to sir Robert Murray.

About six months after he returned to Scotland, where
he declined accepting the living of Saltoun, offered him
by sir Robert Fletcher of that place, resolving to travel for
some time on the continent. In 1664, he went over into
Holland ; where, after he had seen what was remarkable
in the Seven Provinces, he resided for some time at Am-
sterdam, and afterwards at Paris. At Amsterdam, by the
help of a learned Rabbi, he increased his knowledge in
the Hebrew language, and likewise became acquainted
with the leading men of the different persuasions tolerated
in that country : among each of whom, he used frequently
. to declare, lie had met with men of such real piety and
virtue, that he contracted a strong principle of universal*
charity. At Paris he conversed with the two famous
ministers of Charenton, Daill£ and Morus. His stay in
France was the longer, on account of the great kindness
' with which be was treated by the lord Holies, then am-
bassador at the French court. Towards the end of the

*66 BURNET.

year he returned to Scotland, passing through London,
where he was introduced, by the president sir Robert
Murray, to be a member of the royal society. In 1665,
he was ordained a priest by the bishop of Edinburgh, and
presented by sir Robert Fletcher to the living of Saltoun,
which had been kept vacant during his absence. He soon
gained the affections of his whole parish, not excepting the
presbyterians, though he was the only clergyman in Scot-
land that made use of the prayers in the liturgy of th£
church of England. During the five years be remained at
Saltoun, he preached twice every Sunday, and once on
one of the week-days : he catechized three times a-week,
sb as to examine every parishioner, old or young, three
times in the compass of a year : he went round the parish
from house to house, instructing, reproving, or comforting
them, as occasion required -.the sick he visited twice a
day : he administered the sacrament four times a year, and '
personally instructed all such as gave notice of their inten-
tion to receive it. All that remained above his own neces-*
sary subsistence (in which be was very frugal), he gave
away in charity. A particular instance of his generosity
is thus related : one of his parishioners had been in exe- :
cution for debt, and applied to our author for some small
relief; who inquired of him, how much would again set
him up in his trade : the man named the sum, and be as
readily called to his servant to pay it him : " Sir," said he,
41 it is all we have in the house." M Well," said Mr. Bur-
net, " pay it this poor man : you do not know the pleasure
there is in making a man glad.7' This may be a proper
place to mention pur author's practice of preaching extern*- '•
ipore, in which he attained an ease chiefly by allotting many
hours of the day to meditation upon all sorts of subjects,
and by accustoming himself, at those times, to speak his
thoughts aloud, studying always to render his expressions
correct. His biographer gives us here two remarkable ;
instances of his preaching without book. In 1691, when
the sees, vacant by the deprivation of the non-juring '
bishops, were filled up, bishop Williams was appointed to
prfeach one of the consecration -sermons at Bow-church;
but; being detained by some accident, the archbishop of
Canterbury desired our author, then bishop of Sarum, to
supply his place ; which he readily did; to the general satis**
faction of all present. In 1705, he was appointed to preach
the thanksgiving-sermon before the queen at St. Paul's; and

BURNET. 361

as it was thecmly discourse he had ever written before-handy
it was the only time that he ever made a pause in preach-
ing, which on that occasion lasted above a minute. The
same year, he drew up a memorial of the abuses of the
Scotch bishops, which exposed him to the resentments, of
that order: upon which, resolving to confine himself to
study, and the duties of his function, he practised such a
retired and abstemious course, as greatly impaired hieu
health. About 1668, the government of Scotland being in
the hands of moderate men, of whom the principal was sir
Robert Murray, be was frequently consulted by them ; and
it was through his advice that some of the more moderate
presbyterians were put into the vacant churches ; a step
which he himself has since condemned as indiscreet In
1669, he was made professor of divinity at Glasgow; in
which, station he executed the following plan of study.
On Mondays, he made each of the students, in their turn,
explain a head of divinity in Latin, and propound such
theses from it as he was to defend against the rest of the
scholars ; and this exercise concluded with our professor's
decision of the point in a Latin oration. On Tuesdays, he
gave them a prelection in the same language, in which he
proposed, in the course of eight years, to have gone
through a complete system of divinity. On Wednesdays,
he read them a, lecture, for above an hour, by way of a
critical commentary on St. Matthew's Gospel ; which he
finished before he quitted the chair. On Thursdays, the
exercise was alternate; one Thursday, he expounded a
Hebrew Psalm, comparing it with the Septuagint, the*
Vulgar, and the English version ; and the next Thursday,
he explained some portion of the ritual and constitution
of the primitive church, making the apostolical canons his
text, and- reducing every article of practice under the head
of one or other of those canons. On Fridays, he made
each of his scholars, in course, preach a short sermon upon
some text he assigned ; and, when it was ended, he ob-
served, upon any thing that was defective or amiss in the
handling of the subject. This was the labour of the morn*
ings: in the evenings, after prayer, he every day read
some parcel of scripture, on which he made a short
discourse ; and, when that was over, he examined into
the progress of their several studies. "All this he performed,
during the whole time the schools were open; and, in
order to acquit himself with credit, he was obliged to study

$68

BURN E T.

hard from four till ten in the morning ; the rest of the day
being of necessity allotted, either to the care of his pupils,
or to hearing the complaints of .the clergy, who, finding be
had an interest with men of power, were not sparing in
their applications to him. In this situation he continued
four years and a half, exposed, through his principles of
moderation, to the censure both of the episcopal and prop-
by terian parties. The same year he published bis " Mo-
dest and free Conference between a Conformist and a Non-
conformist." About this time he was entrusted, by the
duchess of Hamilton, with the perusal and arrangement
of all the papers relating to her father's and unpiefs
ministry; which induced hup to compile " Memoirs, jpf the
Dukes of Hamilton," and occasioned his being invited %o
London, to receive farther information, concerning the
transactions of those times, by the earl of Lauderdale ; be-
tween whom 'and the duke of Hamilton he brought aboiat
a reconciliation. During his stay m London, he was of-
fered a Scotch bishopric, which he refused. SopA, after
his return to Glasgow,- he married the lady MargaretW|SeQ-
nedy, daughter of the earl of Cassjlis*. In 1672, Jie pub-
lished his " Vindication of the Authority, Constitution, and
Laws, of the Church and State of Scotland," against the
principles of Buchanan and others ; which was thought, at
that juncture, such a public service, that he was again
courted to accept of a bishopric, with a promise of the
next vacant archbishQpric, but hp persisted in his refusal
of that dignity. In 1673, he took another journey to
'London ; where, at the express nomination of the king,
after hearing him preach, he was sworn one of his majesty's
chaplains in ordinary. He became likewise in high favour
with his majesty and the duke of York f. At his return tp

* This was a lady of distinguished
piety and knowledge: her own senti-
ments indeed inclined strongly towards
the presbyterians, with whom she was
fin high credit and esteem; yet she
^was far from partaking the narrow zeal
of some of their leaders. As there was
some -disparity in their ages, that it
might remain past dispute that this
match was wholly owing to inclination,
not to avarice or ambition, the day be-
fore their marriage, our author deli-
vered the lady a. deed, whereby he
renounced all pretension to her for-
tune, which was very considerable,

and must otherwise have fallen into
his bands, she herself having no in-
tention to secure it. j
f The avowed design of this journey
was, in order to procure a licence for
publishing his " Memoirs of the Dukes
of Hamilton:" but it would .appear
that he bad farther views ; for we art
told, he went with a full resolution of
withdrawing himself from affairs of
state* He saw that popery wait
though covertly, the prevailing interest
at court, and that the Mcramefftfettesft1,
whereby the duke of York, the lord Gift
ford, tad other papists in emplcrrt

-*..-■< •■

B U R N E T. 869

Edinburgh, finding the Animosities between the dukes of
Hamilton and Lauderdale revived, he retired to his station;
at Glasgow ; but was obliged the next year to return to
court, to justify himself against the accusations of the duke
of Lauderdale, who had represented him as the cause apd
instrument of all the opposition the measures of the court
had met with in the Scotch parliament. Thus he lost the
favour of the court; and, to avoid putting himself into the
hands of his enemies, he resigned the professor's chair at
Glasgow, and resolved to settle in London, being now
about thirty years of age. Soon after, he was offered the
living of St. Giles's Cripplegate, which be declined ac-
cepting, because he heard that it was intended for Dr.
Fowler, afterwards bishop of Gloucester. Irr 1675, out
author, at the recommendation of lord Holies, and not-
withstanding the interposition of the court against him, was
appointed preacher at the Rolls chapel by sir Harbottle
Grimstone, master of the Rolls. The same year he was
examined before the house of commons in relation to the
duke of Lauderdale, whose conduct the parliament wa*
then inquiring into. He was soon after chosen lecturer of
St Clement's, and became a very popular preacher. In
1676, he published his " Memoirs of the Dukes of Hamil-
ton ;" and the same year, "An account of a Conference
between himself, Dr. Stillingfleet, and Coleman." About
this time, the apprehensions of popery increasing daily, he
undertook to write the " History of the Reformation of the
Church of England." The rise and progress of this his
greatest and most useful work, is an object of too great
curiosity to require any apology on account of its length.
His own account of it is as follows : " Some time, after I
had printed the ' Memoirs of the Dukes of Hamilton/
which were favourably received, the reading of these got
me the acquaintance and friendship of sir William Jones,
then attorney-general. — My way of writing history pleased
him ; and so be pressed me to undertake the History of
England. But Sanders's book, that was then translated
into French, and. cried up much in France, made all my

went, had been excluded, was a mere duchess of Lauderdale: he pointed

artifice of king Charles to obtain money out to them the errors of their manage-

fyr carrying oa the war with Holland, ment in Scotland, and the ill effects

He suspected that the designs of the it would have, both upon themselves

€ourt were both corrupt and desperate, and the whole nation : but he fouud

fie therefore used all the freedom he po disposition in them to rectify their

decently could with the. duke and measures.

Vou VII. B •

S

S7d B U R tf E T*

friends press ftie to answer it, by writing the tllstbry iH
- the Reformation. So now all niy thoughts were turned
that way* I laid out for manuscripts, and searched into
all offices. I got for some days into the Cotton LiWarfl
But duke Lauderdale hearing of my design, and tijipre*
hending it might succeed in my hands, got Dolben, bishop
of Rochester, to divert sir John Cotton from suffering ltm
to search into his library. He told him, I was a great
enemy to the prerbgative, to which Cotton was devotfed^,
even to slavery. So he said, I would certainly make fcW ifl
use of all I had found. This wrought' so much on hiito*
that I was no more admitted, till my first volume was'phb*
lished. And then, when he saw how I had compt>sfed:9§
he gave me Tree access to it." 'The fitst volume bftliis
won lay near a year after it was finished, for the pertteal
and correction of; friends ; so that it was not published 'till
the yefur 1679, when the affair of the popish plot was ift
agitation. This book' procured our author an honou^riev^r
before or since paid to any writer*, he had tbethantestff
both houses of parliament, with a desire that he wotffi
prosecute the undertaking, and domplete that valakbte
Work. Accordingly, in less than two jrears after*; B6
printed the second volume, which met with the k*megei
neral approbation as the first: and such Was his rfeadfoesfc
in composing, that he wrote the historical paWiYi th^ft
compass of sfcx weeks, after all his material^ were laid *d
order. The third volume, containing a supplement to the
two former, was published in 1714. **The defects of
Peter Heylyn's " History of the Reformation," as bishop
Nicolson observes, " are abundantly supplied in oilfr
author's more complete history. He gives a punctual a&i
count of all the affairs of the reformation, from ite begin*
ning in the reign of Henry VIII. to its final establishment
under queen Elizabeth, A. D. 1559. And the whole it
penned in a masculine style, such as becomes an h&tofi&f^
imd is the property of this author in all his writings. Tfil
collection of records, which be gives at the end of-fe&eft
volume, are good vouchers of the truth of what he deiivferi
in the body of the history, and are much more perfect' than
could reasonably be expected, after the pains taken, A
queen Mary's days, to suppress every thing that carried
the marks of the reformation upon it.'* Our author1* pe#£
formance met with a very favourable reception abroad, -arid
was translated into most of -the European languages*; 3ttitt

BURNETt SU

•

tven the keenest of bis enemies, Henry Wharton, allows it
to h^ve " a reputation firmly and deservedly established,"
The most eminent of the French writers who have attacke4
it, M. Varillas and M. Le Grand, have received satisfactory
replies from the author himself. At home it was attacked
fry Mr. S. : JLowth, who censured the account Dr. Burnet
J^ad given of some of archbishop Cranmer's opinions, as^
verting that both our historian and Dr. Stillingfleet had im*
po^ed upon the world in that particular, and had " un-
tiaitbfully joined together" in their endeavours to lessen
episcopal ordinatio^. Our author replied to Mr. Lowtb,
in some " letters in answer" to his book. Th4 next assail*
mit was Henry Wharton, who, under the name of An&hony
Harmer, published " A specimen of some Errors and
Defects in the History of the Reformation," 1693, 8vo, a
perforipartce of no great candour ; to which, however, our
historian vouchsafed a short answer, in a " Letter to the
Bishop of Lichfield." t A third attack on this History was
jgade by Dr. Qtekes in " Discourses on Dr. Burnet and
jlfc, TiUptson;" in which the whole charge amounts to no
loore than this, that, " in a matter of no great consequence,
there was too little care had in copying or examining &
letter writ in a very bad hand," and that there was some
pgo&ibility that Dr- Burnet €f was mistaken in one of his
£<Hijecttire&M Our author answered this piece, in a " Vin-
dication" of his History* The .two first parts were trans-
lated into French by ML de Rqsemond, and into Latin by
Melchior Mittelhorzer. • There is likewise a Dutch trans-
lation of it. Ifi 1 682, our author published " An abridg-
ment of bis. History of the Reformation," in 8vo, in which
he t$lls us, he bad wholly waved every thing that belonged
19 the records, and the proof of what he relates, or to the
porifufcation of the falsehoods that .run through the popish
j^istoriajis ; all which is to be found in the History at large*
Ap4 therefor in this abridgment, he says, every thing is
$o be taken upon trust ; and those who desire a fuller satis*
fagtidfrj fire referred to the volumes he had before pub-
lished*

x Although our author at this time had no parochial cure!
fee did not refuse his attendance to any sick person who
ifcstr.ed it, and was sent for, amongst others,, to one who
had been engaged in a criminal amour with Wilnrtot, earl
$£ Roetaatf r. The manner he treated her, during her
iU&esSj jjaye that lord a great cariosity of being acquainted

11 B 2

$72 JBURNET.

with him, and for a whole winter, in a conversation of at
least one evening in a week, Burnet went over all those
topics with him, upon which sceptics, and men of loose
morals, are wont to attack the Christian, religion. The
effect of these conferences, in convincing the earl's judg-
ment, and leading him to a sincere repentance, became
the subject of a well-known and interesting narrative which
he published in 1680, entitled " An Account of the Life
and Death of the Earl of Rochester." This work has
lately been reprinted more than once, perhaps owing to
the character I>r. Johnson gave of it in his Life of Roches-
ter : he there pronounces it a book " which the critic
ought to read for its elegance, the philosopher for its ar*
guments, and the saint for its piety." , . , >

. During the affair of the popish, plot, Dr, Burnet was
tfteo consulted by king, Charles, upon the state of the
nation) and, about fhe same time, refused the vacant
bishopric of Chichester, which his majesty offered him,
♦£ provided be would entirely, come into his interest," But,
though his free access to that monarch did. not. procure him
preferment, it gave him an opportunity of sending hit
jpajesty a most remarkable letter*, in which/with great
freedom, he reprehends, the, vices and errors both of his
( private life and his government The unprejudiced part
, he acted during the time the nation was inflamed vrtith the
discovery pf the popish, plot ; his candid . ^endeavours to
save the lives of Staley and the lord Stafford, both zealous
papists i his temperate conduct in regard to the exclusion

'* This letter may be seen' in the might look for. I pressed him upon

■• Life of Burnet, prefixed to the edition that earnestly to change the whole

: of " His own Time," by Dr. Flex- course of bis life. I carried th»* letter

.man, who then had it in his possession, to Chi ranch's, on the 29th of January ;

The following is the bishop's own ac- and teJd the' king in the letter,, that I

count of it; " Mrs. Roberts,? when be hoped the refections on what had b«*

(the King) bad kept for some time, sent fallen his father on t^e 30th of January,

for me when she was dying : I saw her might more him to consider these

often for some weeks, '.and, 'among things more carefully, l*ord Arraa

. ©toft things, I desired her to write a . nappeped to be then in waiting ; and

letter to the king, expressing the sense he, came to me next day, and tola me,

the had 'of Iter past life] and, at her be was sure the king had A bo* letter

{Kesire, I drew each aJeUer as might irom me,; for he held the candle, to

fee, fit for hej? to write. Bht she ne?er him while he read H: he knew at fhat

iad 'strength enough to write it: sV distance that It was' my handV'iThf

Upon that I resolved to. write a very king read it twice over, and ta*o>thrtw

plain letter to .the king, : t^et. .before it into the flre: and not long after,
him his past life, and the effects it' had . lord Arran took occasion to name ifre $

upon the nation, with the judgments of >and the king spoke ef owviUi £reat

Ood that lay on him, which was 4>ut a. sharpness: ao he perceived be ?«!.*•*

teal I pert ef the puni»^«ent that he pleased with my letter.* * ' )

BURNET. Sh

of the duke or York; and the scheme of a pyiftcle regent,
proposed by him, in lieu of that exclusion ; are'sufficiently
related in his " History of his own Time." In 16S2, when
the administration was wholly changed in favour of the
duke of York, he continued steady in his adherence to his
friends, and chose to sacrifice all his views at court, par-
ticularly a promise of the mastership of the Temple, rather
than break off his correspondence with them. This year
our author published his " Life of sir Matthew Hale," and
his. <c History of the Rights of Princes, in disposing of
^ecclesiastical Benefices and Church-lands ;" which being
attacked by an anonymous writer, Dr. Burnet published,
~tne same year, " An answer to the Animadversions on the
t History of the Rights of Princes." As he was about this
^ time much resorted to by persons of all ranks and parties,
as a pretence to avoid the returning of so many visits, he
built a laboratory, and, for above a year, went through' a
course of chemical experiments. Upon the execution of
; the lord Russel, with whom he was familiarly acquainted,
'lie was examined: before the house of commons, with re-
spect to that loWPs speech upon the scaffold, in the pen-
iung of which he wUs suspected to have had a hand. Not
"long after, he refused the offer of. a livrrfg of three huh-
' dreq pounds a year, in the gift of the earl of Halifax,' who

* would' have presented him, on condition of his residing
still in London/ In 1683, he went over to Paris, where
he was well received by the court, and 'became acquainted
with the most eminent persons, both popish and protestant.
This year appeared his "Translation and Examination of a

* Letter, writ by the last General Assembly of the Clergy
' of France to the Protestants, inviting them to return to

* their Communion, &c. ;" also his " Translation of Sir
\4JThomas More's Utopia," with a " Preface concerning the
> Nature of Translations." . The year following, the resent-
: ment of the court against our author was so great, that he

was discharged from bis lecture at St, Clement's, by virtue
of the king's mandate to Dr. Hascartl, rector of that parish ;

; and 711/ Decembe* the same year, by an order from the

t lordrkeeper North to sjir Harbottle Grimstone, he was for-
bidden preaching any moFe at the Rolls chapel. In 1685

'/' came out our author's €< Life of Dr. William Bedell, JBishop
of Kiknore in Ireland." Upon the death of king Charles,

caiWI accession of king James, haying obtained leave to go
out of the kingdom, he went first to jParis, where he lived

S74 BURNET.

in great retirement, to avoid being involved in the conspi^
racies then forming in favour of the duke of Monmouth.
But, having contracted an acquaintance with brigadier
Stouppe, a protestant officer in the French service, he
was prevailed upon to take a journey with him into Italy,
and met with an agreeable reception at Jtome* and Ge-
neva. After a tour through the southern parts of Frdncey
Italy, Switzerland^ and many places of Germany, of which
he has given ah account, with reflections on their several
governments, &c. in his "Travels,*1 jpublished in 168*7, h&
C4die to Utrecht, and intended to have settled in! sonje
quiet retreat within the Seven Provinces ; but^ being in-
vited to the Hague by the prince and princess of Orange!'
he repaired thither, and had a great share in the councils
then carrying on, concerning the affairs of England. ' frii
t687, our author published a " Translation of Lactantiusf/
concerning the Death of the Persecutors." The high fa^
vour shewn him at the Hague disgusting the English court,
king James wrote two severe letters against him to the
princess of Orange, and insisted, by bis anibassadori 0%
his being forbidden the. court; which, at the king^s im-^
£ortunity, was done ; though our author continued to be
employed a$d trusted a$ before. Soon after, a prosecutiorV
for high-treason was commenced against hitn, both in
Scotland and England; but the States refusing/ at tW der
mand of the English court, to deliver hitn Uj^ ^ desigriswere
laid of seizing his person, arid pveii destroying him, ; if he
could be taken. About this time Dri Burnet married Mrs^
Mary Scott, a Dutch lady of large fortune and not|le ex-
traction. He had a very important share, in the wbo^e
conduct of the revolution in 1688 ; the project of which fre

* Pope Innocent XI. hearing of our EnjU?b, that it was s^mewha^ctyl tbfjt

author's arrival, sent the Captain of a t priest of the c^urph pf. England

the Swiss guards to. acquaint him, be should be at Rome hclpiqg th?m pjf

would give him a, private Ambience in. wjith, the . fjare. Qf , Bahyloa* , . •J'fee car5

^ed, |o avoid the. ceremony of kissing cjinal smiled at the remark, 'audj^rij

bis holiness's slipper.. But our author peatiog.it in French to ^(^ gentlemen*

excused himself as well as he could.- - hid them tell t^r countrymen, hom

H^-was treated with great familiarity bold ,the, ^re^c^anc' £ow j^sjld ^

by the oardjoaU Howard a ad D'Es* cardinals, wer-e ^at :§ome. Some djfc

trees: $h* former shewed him all his putes, Which opr^ntoor bad at Rojfce^

letters from -England expressing. the cqpcerning religion* banning; .to iJif.

ti&k ejtpecUUon»4>f the >pppjush party, take? notice, q£ made A #*PP£* iffiS1

pne. evetjjng, upon visiting cardinal himty qwt tha* city ; wjucb.^ JWg"

Howard he^iour^d- him ..distributing dordjogty didj . qpf» ^ , f pp nytf^fi

pome relics to two French gentlemen : given him by prince borgbesc. ~
upon which he whispered to him

RURNETf S7*

gave early notice of to tbe conn of Hapover, intimating
that the success of t,his enterprise must naturally end in an
entail of the British crown upon that illustrious house. He
wrote also several pamphlets in- support of the prince of
Orange's desigps, which were reprinted at London in 1689,,
in 8yo, under the title, of " A Collection of eighteen Pa-
pers relating to the affairs of Church and State during the
Reign of King James II. &c." And when his highness
undertook the expedition to England, our author accom-
panied him as his chaplain, notwithstanding the particular
circumstance^ of danger to which he was thereby exposed.
At Exeter, after the prince's landing, he drew up the as-
sociation for pursuing the ends of his highness' s declara-
tion. During these transactions, Dr. Crew, bishop of Dur-
ham, who had rendered himself obnoxious by the part he
liad acted in the high-commission court, haying proposed
to {he prince of Orange to resign, his bishopric in favour of
Dr. Burnet, on condition of an allowance of 1000/. per
sfonum out of the revenue, our author refused to accept it
on those terms, , But king William had not been many,
days on the thronp before Dr. Burnet was advanced to the
see of Salisbury, and consecrated March 31, 1,689*. Our
prelate had scarcely taken his seat in the house of' lords,
when he distinguished himself by declaring for moderate,
measures with regard to. the clergy who scrupled to taka
the oaths, and for a toleration of the protestant dissenters ;
and when the bill for declaring the rights and privileges of
the subject, and settling the succession of the crown, was
brought into parliament, he was the person appointed by
Sing William to propose naming the duchess (afterwards
electre$s) of Brunswick, next in succession after the

* His biographer tells as, " be was when he waited en the queen, she said,
fo little anxious after his own prefer- she hoped he would now put in practice
rjienfcrlHat, when the bishopric of Satis- those notions with which he had takeri
bury became void, as it did soon after the liberty often to entertain her. The
Jting William and queen Mary were bishop k informs us farther, that arch*
established on the (hrone, he solicited bishop Saricroft refused to consecrate
ivrfr in favour of bis old friend Dr. him, and for some days seemed deter*
JESoyd,theti bishop of St Asaph;" and mined to venture incurring a prttmu-
fbat <rtfre king answered him in a cold nire, rather than obey the mandate
*ay,'**rhat be- had another person in for consecration : but at last he grant-
view ;' and tbe next day he himself ed a commission to all the bishops of
was nominated to that see." The his province, or to any three of them,
vfchop himself telHr b», the king named in conjunction with the bishop of Lon-
fcrm to that see in terms mere obliging don, to exercise his metropciitieaJI
tltfttf ortally; fell from him; and that, authority during pleasure.

. ' . t\ | f . '. . - i

J7* BURNET.

princess of Denmark and her issue ; and when this succes*
sion afterwards took place, he had the honour of being
chairman of the committee to whom the bill was referred*
This made him considered by the house of Hanover as
pne firmly attached to their interests, and engaged him in
an epistolary correspondence with the princess Sophia*
which lasted to her death* This year bishop Burnet ad*,
dressed a " Pastoral Letter" to the clergy of his diocese*
concerning the oaths of allegiance and supremacy to king
William and queen Mary ; in which having grounded their'
majesties title to the crown upon the right of conquest*
some members of both houses -took sMcbptfence at it, that;
about three years after, they procured a& order for burning,
the book by the bands of the common executioner. . After
the session of parliament was over, the bishop went dowiat.
to his diocese, -where, by his -pious, prudent, and vigilant
discharge of the episcopal functions, he gained universal
esteem. i • ■/.

As we have before given sonpe account of his conduct a*.
a parish priest, and* as professor of divinity, it is no less,
necessary to specify some particulars of his management
when in this higher station. "

As ne had always looked upon Confirmation as the like*,
liest means of reviving a spirit of Christianity, be wrote a-
short " Directory," for preparing th§ youth upon such
occasions, and sent copies of it, some months before*
hand, to the minister of every parish where he intended to
confirm. Every summer, he made a tour, for sis weeks,
or two months, through some district of his bishopric, daily-
preaching and confirming from church to church, so as, in
the compass of three years (besides his triennial visitation);
to go through all the principal livings of his diocese, hu
these circuits he entertained all the clergy that attendea
.upon him, at his own expence, and held conferences witfo
them upon the chief heads of divinity* During his resin
dence at Salisbury, he constantly preached a Thursday9*
lecture, founded at St, Thomas's church ; he .likewise
preached and confirmed, every Sunday morning, in sorat
church of that city, or of the neighbourhood round abon%
it; and, in tbe evening,, he had a Jectore in his Owft
chapeT, wnerein he explained some portion, of scriptucct
tvery week, during the season of Lent* he catechised tfcfc.
youth of the two great schools in the, cathedral cburcb*:arii
instructed thei9 iito$er far MP&BBP&too B* etetonwmi

fiT U R N E Tf Sii

*

ed,* a$ mvujk asr possible, to reform the abuses of the bishopV
conaititorial court. No part of the episcopal office was
more strictly attended to by him, than the examination of
candidates for holy orders. He examined them himself
as to the proofs of the Christian religion, the authority ot
the* scriptures, atld the nature of the gospel covenant ; and/
a day or two before ordination, he submitted all those whont
he- had* accepted to the examination of the dean and pre-
bendaries. As the Qualification of clergymen for the pas-
toral care was always uppermost in his thoughts, he insti-
tuted at Salisbury a 'little nursery of students in divinity,
being ten- in numbtfr» to each of whom he allowed a salary
Of thirty pounds a year. Once every day he examined their
progress in learning, and gave them a lecture on some
speculative or practical point of divinity, or some part of
tfae pastoral function. But this foundation being consi-
dered a» reflecting upon the method of 'education- at the
universities, he was prevailed upon, after some years, to
lay it wholly aside. He was a warm and constant enemy
te pluralities^ whfcre non-residence was the consequence of
them', and in some tabes hazarded a* suspension, rather
than give institution. In the point of residence, hg was
** strict* that he immediately dismissed his own chaplains,
upon their preferment to a cure of souls. He exerted the'
principled toleration, which was deeply rooted in him, in*
favour of a nonjuring meeting-house at Salisbury, which
he obtained the royal permission to connive at; and this
spirit- of moderation brought over several dissenting families
of his diocese to the commnnion of the church.
r. In 1692, he published a treatise, entitled "The Pastoral
Care/9 in which the duties of the ctergy are laid down with
ff^eat strictness, and enforced with no less Zealand Warmth.
The mdxt year clatae 6iit his "Four Discourses to the
Clergy of his Diocese." In 169+, our author preached th£
funeral sentfon; of archbishop Tillbtson, With whom he had
king kept up ait intimate acquaintance and friendship, and
whose memory he1 defended in " A Vindication of Abp.
T&lotson," '1696.-' The death of queen Mary, which hap-f
ptMd the year following, drew from our author's pen that
*H&s&y ortr her character,** which her uncommon talent^
merited at the 'bands of a person who enjoyed so high a
jcWgree^of het &vour and confidence. After the decease
if i«htft'piincess, through whose hands the affairs and pro-*
Honoonaiof ' && cbrtftb had wholly passed, our prelate wa*r

pne of the ecclesiastical commiwion appointed by 4be*u*g
to recommend to all bishoprics, deaaries, and other vac*at
benefices in his majesty's gift. -

In 1698 the bishop lost bis wife by the small-pox ; but
the consideration of the tender age of his children, and
his own avocations, soon induced him tp supply that losa
by a marriage with Mrs. Berkley *. This year he was; ap-
pointed preceptor to his highness the duke of Gloucester*
and employed great care in the education of that young3
prince. In 1699 our author published bis " Exp^sition.of
the Thirty-nine Article* of the Churclj of England." Xbif
work was censured by the lower, hpuse of convocation in
1701, first, as allowing a diversity of opinions,, which tho
Articles were framed to prevent; 2dly, as containing, pa any
passages contrary to the true meaning of the Articles, and.
to other received doctrines, of our church; and* 3dly, $4
containing, some things of pernicious consequence j to the
qhurqh, and derogatory from the honour of the . reformat
tion : but that house refusing tp enter into particulars, un~
less they might at the same time offer some other m^tt^r^;
to the upper house, which the bishops would not adnqitof^
the affair was dropped. The " Exposition" was attapked*.

* This lady, the eldest daughter of which she afterwards finished and pnb-
sir Richard Blake, knight, and of Eli- lished, entitled "A method dti'DeW-*
xabeth, the daughter of Dr. Bathurst, tion: or, Roles for holy an^de/^aul!
an eminent physician in London, was living; with prayers on several occa-
born the 8th of November, 1661. At sions, and advices and 'devotion* for
* little more than- seventeen years of the holy Sacrament," iti octavo. Tour
age she was married to Robert Berkley piece has been so wett received, a* to,
of Spetchly, in the county of Wor- run through three editions. After con*
cotter-, esq. grandson of *ir Robert tinning a widow near seven years, sh4
Berkley, ^wbo was a jndge in king was married to the bishop of Salisbury,
Charles the First's time. Mr. Berk- who was so sensible of her worth and
ley's mother was a papist, but Mr. goodness, that he committed the core
Berkley himself a ptotestantj which of. hit cUMfe* entirety to ber» and loft
put Mrs. Berkley upon studying her her absolute mistress of her own for*
own religion more fully, and obliged tune. Iti 1707, she took a journey to
her to a more than ordinary atricteets ■ Spa. for bar > health, and, after her re-
in bar whole conduct. Io king James's turn, teemed, to bemjjcb^ recovered \
time, when the fears of popery began but the winter following, upon the
greatly to increase, she prevailed with breaking of the frost' in/ Jantrary, the"
her hatband to settle at the Hague till . was taken with ;a • pleuritic fever, of
the revolution, when they returned to which she died in a few days, und waa
England. ~ In 1693, she lost her bus- buried at Spetchly, by her former hus-
band, Mr. Berkley, who was buried band, She woe a Jody, Is* every ttk
with hie. aneesty>rs at Spetchly. After spect, of mo*} exemplary lifo .and 4oo>'
Ills oeath, she perfected the hospital at ventation. " See " An Account of her
Worcester; for the erecting of which 'prefixed to her * Method of BevotiosV;*
be bad"beqoeethed.a jarg»,sum <?f mo- JUn**M'U% fry Dr. TMOooda$n, afters
ney. Daring her widowhood, she made wards archhishop of Cashe),*! f
the first draught of thit pious treat ise, r " - + ' •

* U R N E Ti Hi

a

supposed by Dr. William Binckes, in a piece entitled "A
prefatory discourse to an examination of a late book, en-
titled i An Exposition, &c.' " London, 1700, 4to. Axt
staswer to this discourse came out the year following, sup-
posed by Dr. John Hoadjy, primate of Ireland. Dr. Jo-'
Nathan Edwards likewise attacked our author in a piece
entitled H The Exposition given by my lord bishop of
S&rum of the second Article of our Religion, examined,";
tondon, 1 702, 4to. In answer to which there appeared"
** Remarks on the Examinist of the Exposition/9 &c. Lon*
don; 1 702. At the same time, Mr. Robert Burscough
published " A Vindication of the twenty. third Article of
Religion, from a -late Exposition, ascribed to my lord
bishop of Sarum." Mr. Edmund Elys likewise published,
ki 1704, -•* Reflections on a late Exposition of the Thirty-*
rifee Articles/' &c. 4to. There were two editions of the
Exposition; in folio, the same year. — In 1704 the scheme
for the augmentation of poor livings, first projected Jby
bishop Burnet, took place, and passed ipto an act of par-
Hattoent. In 1706, he published a* collection of " Sermon*
aifid; Pamphlets*" 8 vols. 4to ; in 1710, an "Exposition1
of * the Church Catechism;" and in 1713, "Sermons ©A'
several occasions," with, an " Essay towards a new book of
Homilies.1' This learned, and eminent prelate died the
1 7th of March 171-4-1 5, in the seventy-second year of bisr
age,. and was interred in the parish-churcb. of St. James-
Olerkenwell, in London.' Since his deaths his " History*
of his own Time," With an account of bis life annexed,'
wa# published in 2 vols* foi. but the best edition is. that of
1753, 4 vols. 8vo, edited by the rev. Dr. Flexman, withf-
t^e life enlarged, and a very large catalogue of bis puhli-,
options, to which some trifling additions were made in thet
J^st edition of {he Biographic Qritanftica. ; «

- Ash would lead us, after so long an account of the fact*
cffD^/Butneft's life, into an article1 perhaps yet lojagter^;
^re; jn$ fa enter, on ijie controversy $p >bly and SQV fre-*
cjaently repeated respecting the veracity of his ** History*
dfbis own TimV' we shall only n'otjcfy "that as the strong^
party steal which prevailed at the beginning of the last cen^
fifty;' becomes either' less, 6r 6f; less importance to bere<
v^vedyi^shop &aniefc'si wpcksseem to rise io, publ|<p esiima-
tioftt "AH> that is contfdvefrsiafl, indeed, ^irnfeariy forgotten ;?
but his JlisVory of tibk Reformat^), ^jtjd .0^, Jus b^ji- Timer
and his Lives of Rochester, Bedell, Hale, &cl afford a fair

310 ^URNEf.

prospect that his feme will yet he prolonged. The events
ef his life show that both at home and abroad he stood higti
in the estimation of his contemporaries, and his errors and
prejudices, of whatever kiud, would not have excited so
many enemies had not his talents given him an unusual
degree of consequence both in church and state. On the
subject of bis public character, however, we shall contept
ourselves with referring to pur authorises, and conclude,
this article with some particulars of his private fyabit^
which, as well as the above account of his life, stanfl^i^i^
contradicted, and surely entitlfe him to oijr respect *. r
His time, we are told, was employed .in-one regular aj
uniform manner: he w^ a very early riser, seldom ii^e"
Hater than five or six o'clock in the mqrning/ Private me*,
ditation took* up the two first hours, and tne last half hbuk
of the day. His first ^nd; Jast appearance, *p hi» family
was at the morning Vid~evening prayers, ^ which he always
tesyl himself, though his; chaplain^ were present. Hetoqk
the opportunity of die tea-table to Instr^et hb children in
Religion, and in giving tram bis own cpipai^nt upon som^
portion of scripture, } He seldom speijj i$ss,|thati six, pft^
eight, hours a dayfiri his study; ; .H9 jtept an open tablgj
in which" there wa^pj^W Without rtu^ury,; his equip^gp
was decent and plain j- ana all Jib pxpepces generqus,, hiftf
iibt 'profuse. He wjas a most a^gtyopats Jbusband.tQ Jiig
^rives ; and his loye tp pit? ^jldr^n*expr^ssed itself, not s0>
much in hoarding w we^th fcV.tbetp,, a$ in. giving then)
the best education* ATter his sons had perfected theow
selves in the learned languages, voider private tutors* h^
sent them to the university^ $nd afterwards abroad, to.fin^f
their studies at Ley den., Tn.his friendships he was Yfiffth
open-hearted, and coqst^fit ; arid though h*s station aod
principles raised him many eneinies, he always eode^r
voured, by the kindest good offices, to prepay, aU their iflr
juries, and overcome them by returning gopdk for evil, "Jfe
was a kind and bountiful master to his servants, and oblige
ing to all in employment under him. Hi? charities, were. §

* The celebrated antiquary, Mr. enemies bare blackened him beyond

Thomas Baker, who cannot be sop- what he deserved. I have reason,, to

posed very friendly to Burnet's opi- speak well' of trim, for He treated mt

©ions, says of his History of Jua own wittafrtrt aummlity, «* his letters*)*

Time, vol. II. " Hts life, by his son, me will shew.'^Utter lnttpBod>§#

{s the best part ef the hook ; which, if library! See more ftom tft. Ballejrtp

it may be depended on, shews htm to the same perpete, Gent Ma^Ol

have been a great, jand no bad matt-} >rvW. - < • - • — :* -•- .1**
•lid I cannot forbear thinking that his

B U B, N E *E. Stf

principal, article of his expence. He gave an hundred
pounds at a time for the augmentation of small livings : h$
pestow£d constant pensions on poor clergymen and thei*
widows, on students for their education at the universities,
and on industrious; but unfortunate families: be contri-
buted frequent sums towards the repairs or building of
churches and parsonage-houses, to all public collections,
to the support of charity-schools (one of which, for fifty
children at Salisbury, was wholly maintained by him), and
to' the putting out apprentices to trades. Nor were his
alias confined to one natiqn, sect, or party ; but want, an<|
merit, in the object,' were the only measures of his libe-
rality.: Hfe looked upon himself, with regard to his epis-
copal revenue, as a mere trustee for the church, bound tg
expend the whole in a decent maintenance of his station*
and iu acts of hospitality and charity ; and he had bo faith-
fully balanced this account, that, at his death, no more of
(he income of his bishopric remained to his family than waf
barely sufficient to pay his debts. l
' BURNET (William), eldest son of the preceding, wat
edii&ted 'privately at first, and when perfected in the
learned languages, was removed tp the university of Came
bridge, where he wa$ admitted a gentleman commoner of
Trinity college. In 1706 he was sent with his two younger
brother^ abroad, to finish his studies at Ley den; from
wHehCe h£ appears to have made a tour through Germany,
Switzerland* and Italy. By his own choice he was bred
to the law; but it is uncertain whether he practised at th^
bar. In 1720 he' Was one of the unhappy persons whQ
suffered greatly in the infatuation of the South-Sea scheme,
He had, however, a place in the revenue, of twelve hun<r
d fed "pounds a. year; but, being desirous of retrieving hi^
fortune; he quitted that post, and was appointed governor
of New York and the Jerseys. In this station his conducf
in general Was very acceptable to those colonies, and ap?
proved of iii England. After the accession of king George
the Secondrin* order to provide for a gentleman who waf
Understood to1 be in particular esteem with his majesty J
J^n pujnet was .. removed, from the governments of New

& j. > -• "- ■

if :W«« .$?»*•. and Ufc% by Ftexmtn.— Swift* Works. Se* hidex.^Neal's
rU*b#. See Inde*.-rrLettej« toot, inrtihrangei*8 Letters published *>y Mrt
"iflriff*-*iUiP^»-.tli»t. 4}$ ScQttari, vol. <IV.p*390, 397.— Gent Ma*. vo£
VlJ^p. 3#V952i LXL.p. 745, 788.— Whistoo's Life. See Index.— Birch's
Ij^^kw-yb^^^At^buiyi Set Index.— Bowyer.— Apthorp's Letters on
k« prefaTfBce of Cbrittjaoitjr.— JMkxaiplc^Mtwwiis, -p* dVaQte* frc. fce» *

SI&- B U ft K £ TV

York and the Jerseys to those of the Massachusets an*
New Hampshire. This change was highly disagreeable,
and he considered it as a great hardship to be obliged to
part with posts that were very profitable, for such as would
afford him, at best, only a decent support ; and to leaver
an easy administration for one which he foresaw w6uM be
extremely troublesome. Of this he complained to be-
friends, and it had a visible effect upon his spirits. On the,
13th of July, 1728, he arrived at Boston, and wasrreceivetf
with unusual pomp. Having been instructed from Eng-
land to insist on a 'fixed salary's being settled upon him as
governor, he adhered to his instructions with such unabated
vigour and perseverance; as involved him in- the warmest*
disputes with the general -assembly of 'the- province; A:
large detail of th&e contests may be seen fn Mr. Hutchin-
son's History of Massachusets' Bay, from which. Mr. Bnr-'
rtetV abilities, firmness, and spirit will appear in a striking
Kght Being deprived of his salary, by refusing to receive
it in the mode proposed by the assembly, and having by
that means been driven tb such straits as obliged him to •
apply to the a^sistaEncfe of bis friends fortfoe support of his
family, he thought he might be justified in establishing a
fee and pet^dmtd which had never been known in the
province before. * At New York, all vessels took froiri the'
governor a pass, or permission for sailing out of the bar*
bour, which, though it had ho foundation in law, was sob-**
mitted to without complaint. The same disposition did
Hot prevail in the inhabitants1 of Boston. The fee which
Mr. Burnet4 imposed on the ships, for their passes, being
Complained of to' the king and Council as illegal and" op-
pressive, it was immediately disapproved. In all other*
respects his administration was ^unexceptionable, but'lAii*
controversy with the general assembly made a {rre&t itni'
ptession upon his mind. In the latter end of August, 1729,"
he was seized, at Boston, with a fever, which carried him
off on the 7th of September, and the assembly ordered
him a very honourable funeral at the pdblic expense/
Though he had been steady and inflexible in his adherence4
to his instructions, he discovered nothing of a graftpitig-*
avaricious temper. His superior talents, and free and
easy manner of communicating his sentiments, rendered 7
him the. delight of men of sense and learning; 'affthfefo
right of precedence in all companies, facilitated his natural
disposition to take a great lead xh conversation. His own

B tf R*N E TV *Mt-

atcount of his gtfrius was, that it was late before it budded;
and that, uatil he was nearly twenty years of age, his fa-
ther despaired of his ever making any figure in life. This,
perhaps, might proceed from the exact discipline of the
bishop's family, not calculated alike for every temper. To
long aind frequent religious servicer at home in his youth,
Mr; Buraet would sometimes pleasantly attribute his indis-
position to a scrupulous attendance on public worship*
Mr. Burnet's first lady was a daughter of Dr. George Stan-
hope* dean of Canterbury, and wHs a woman equally dis-
tinguished for her beauty, wit, good-humour, singing, and
various accomplishments. Her sense will appear from the
following abecdote: When she was dying, being worn
ofet with a long and painful sickness, as they rubbed her
temples with Hungary water, in her last fatntings, she
begged them not to do it, for " that it would make her
hair gray." Mr. William Burnet was the author of a tract
entitled " A View of Scripture Prophecy.** l
- BURNET (Gilbert), the bishop's second son, had the'
same advantages of education with his elder brother, hav-'
iojg a distinct etutor both at home and the university. He*
pursued his studies, likewise, for two years at Leyden. At'1
Oxford be was admitted a commoner of Merten college y
but how long he studied there we are not informed, nor;
wfcatf degree he topk. Having entered into holy orders, we
jind&in a chaplain in tadinaiyto his majesty so early as in'
F7 IS, when he could not be thirty years of age. He is said-
to hpre* been a contributor to Hibernitus's Letters, a pe-
riodical paper carried on at Dublin in the years 1725$ 1723,1
and 1727 : and we believe there is no doubt of his having*
beet) one of the writer* of another valuable paper, entitled
€?:The Free-thinker,1' which was afterwards collected into
three volumes, I2m6. In the Hoadlian controversy he
was an able assistant to the eminent prelate from whom that
controversy received its denomination. Three pieces were
published by Mr. Burnet on this occasion, the first of which*
was, " A Letter to the ret. Mr.Trapp, occasioned by bis
Sermon on the real Nature of the Church ard Kingdom off
Ghrtst ;n the second, " An Answer to Mr. Law's Letter to?
the Lord Bishop of Bangor ;" and the third, " A full and
ftee examination of several important points relating to
Church-Authority, the Christian Priesthood, the positive

'' * Bio* Brit.

Institutions of the Christian Religion, and Chwch- Com-
munion, in answer to the notions and principles contained
in Mr. Law's second Letter to the lord bishop of Bapgor."
Dr. Hoadly considered our author as one of bis. best, de-
fenders. In 1719 Mr. Burnet published an abridgement, of
the third volume of his father's History of the Reformation*
If he had not been cut off in early life? there Js, no, doi\bfl
but that he would have made a distinguished figure, ip thq
literary world ; and it is probable that he would have rispp
to a high rank in the church. The Gilbert Burnet who^
abridged the Boy lean *Lqctures was another person.?

BURNET (Thomas), the third and youngest spn *>f tbft
rjishop, had an education equally advantageous with thalj
of his two elder brothers. When he had acquired ^-suf-
ficient preparation of grammatical learning, he, w^ls, s^p4j
to the university of Oxford, where he became a commoaerT
of Merton-college. After this, he studied two.. years aft
Leyden, from whence hp seems to have made a touXj
through' Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. . Havii\gchpsen.
the profession of the law, he was entered at the Terpplen
where he appears to have contracted wildqess pf dispqs^iqp,
and irregularity of conduct To this, part pf his character
there are frequent allusions in the, satirical publications }ot
the times; and particularly in Dr. ArbuthpoCs nptps^ apdv
memorandums of the six days preceding the 4?£th qf,^
right reverend prelate. Mr. Thonaas gurnet wa$. .ey^ea
suspected of being one. of the Mohocks mentioned in the.
Spectator, whose extravagant and ; cruel .exploits piada,
much noise, and excited no small degree of terror at that.,
period. Swift, in one of , his letters to Stella, has the fol-
lowing passage : " Young Davenant was telUpg us, how*
he was set upon by the Mohocks,, and how they . rau hi*
chair through with a sword. It Is not safe being in iba \
streets at night. The bishop of Salisbury's son ,isx said
to be of the gang. They are all whigs. A great, lady,
sent to me, to speak to her father, and to Iprd treasurer, ^
to have a care of them, and to be careful likewise ,of xnyur
self; for she heard they bad malicious intentions, aga^ns*!
the ministry and their friends. . I know not whether tbtf* >
be any thing in this, though others arp of tbp same ©pi- .*
nion." The report concerning Mr, Burnet, might J>e,:i
groundless; but it is certain that his time was apt whoW^'

» B*g. Brit,

iuft-NET. 38*

fepent in dissipation ; for, .being warmly devoted to the
cause of the whigs, be commenced political writer against
the administration of the four last years of queen Anna
No less than seven pamphlets of th^is kind, though without
his name, were written by him, in 1712 and 1713. His
first was entitled " A Letter to the People, to be left for
them at the Booksellers ; with a word or two of the Band-
box Plot." This small tract is drawn up in short para-
graphs, after the manner of Mr. Asgill; but not in ridicule
of that author, who is spoken of in terms of high com-
mendation. Another piece of Mr. Burnet's was: M Our
Ahcestors as wise as we, or ancient Precedents for modern7
Fafcts, in answer to .a Letter from a noble Lord;" which
wks followed by "The History of Ingratitude, or a second
P&rt of ancient Precedents for modern. Facts/1 wherein
many instances are related, chiefly from the Greek and
rtomdn histories, of the ungrateful treatment to which the
most eminent public characters have been exposed ; and
tfig whole is applied to the case of the duke of Marlbo-
rotighi A subsequent publication, that had likewise a re-
ference to the conduct of the ministry towards the same
great general, and which was dedicated .to hirn^ was. en- .
tftled' u The true Character of an honest Man,' especially.
Witfe relation to public Affairs." -Another of Mr. Burnet's
tracks, which was Rallied " Truth, if you can find it ; or &
Character "of thd present Ministry and Parliament," was,
entirely of an ironical nature, and sometimes the irony
id well supported. But pur author's principal political
pamphlet, during the period we are speaking of, was, " A :
certain Information of a certain Discourse, that happened ;
at & certain Gentleman's House, in a certain County;
written by a certain Person then present ; to a certain
Frtendnow at London j from whence you may collect the .
g^e&t Certainty of the Account." This is a dialogue in
defence of the principles and conduct of the whigs ; and A
at gave such offence to queen Anne's Tory ministry, that ,
on account of it, Mr. Burnet was taken into custody iu ,
January 17 12^13. He wrote* also, t€ Some new Proofs .
by which' it appears that the Pretender is truly James the
Thftrd ;" in which, from the information, we suppose, of *
hi£ father, he gives the same account, in substance, of the
P^ender'9 birth, that was afterwards published in th*
bishop's History of his own Time. What Mr. Burnet en-
deavours to make out is, that three supposititious children
Vol. VII. Cc

L

386 BURNET.

were introduced ; and consequently, that the " Pretender
ww James the Third ;" or, to put it more plainly, " the
third pretended James." Whilst our young author, not-
withstanding bis literary application and engagements, still
continued his wild courses, it is related, that his father
one day seeing him uncommonly grave, asked what he
was meditating. " A greater work,9' replied the son,
" than your lordship's History of the Reformation."
" What is that, Tom?" " My own reformation, my
lord." " I shall be heartily glad to see it," said the bi-
shop* " but almost despair of it." This, however, was
happily accomplished, though, perhaps, not during the
life of the good prelate, and Mr. Burnet became not only
one of the best lawyers of his time, but a very respectable
character. After the accession of king George the First,
he wrote a letter to the earl of Halifax, on " the Necessity
of impeaching the late Ministry," in which he urges the
point with great zeal and warmth, and shews the utmost
dislike of treating with any degree of lenity, a set of men
whose, conduct, in his opinion, deserved the severest pu-
nishment. He insists upon it, that the makers of the treaty
of Utrecht ought to answer for their treasons with their
heads* The letter to the, earl of Halifax, which appeared
with Mr. Burnet's naeie, was followed by an anonynpous
treatise, entitled " A second Tale of a Tub ; or the
History of Robert Powel the Puppet- Showman." This
•work, which is a satire on the earl of Oxford and his mi-
nistry, and is far from being destitute of wit and humour, hath
never had the good fortune (nor, indeed, did it deserve
it,) of being read and admired like the original " Tate of
a Tubfc" The author himself, in the latter part of bis life,
wished it to be forgotten; for we are well informed tbat
he sought much for it, and purchased such copies as he
could meet with, at a considerable price, Soon after bis
father's death, he published " A Character of the right
reverend father in God, Gilbert lord bishop of Sarum ;
with a true copy of his last Will and Testament.91 In ri-
dicule of this publication, was printed in Hudibrastic
verse, and with a very small portion of merit, " A certain
dutiful Son' 8 Lagpentation for the Death of a certain right
reverend; with the certain Particulars of certain Sum$ and
Goods that are bequeathed him, which he will most certainly
part with in a certain time." In 1715, Mr. Burnet, iricoti-
junction with Mr. Ducket, wrote a travestie of the first book

.. 3 U R N E T. 387

. of tjbejliad, under the title of " Homerides;" which exposed
him to the lash of Mr. Pope, and occasioned that great poet
to give him a place, though not with remarkable severity,
in the Dunciad, He was likewise concerned in a weekly
pap^r, called " The Grumbler." He was, fiowever, soon
taken from these literary occupations, by being appointed
his majesty's consul at Lisbon, where he continued se-
veral years. Whilst he was in this situation, he had a
dispute with lord Tyrawley, the ambassador, in which the
. merchants sided with Mr. Burnet. During the continuance
of the dispute, the consul took ah odd method of affronting
his antagonist. Employing the same taylor, and having
learned what dress his lordship intended to wear on a 'birth*
,day, Mr. Burnet provided the same dress as liveries for
his servants, and appeared himself in a plain suit. It is
said, that in consequence of this quarrel (though how
truly, may, perhaps, be doubted), the ambassador and
consul were both recalled. Upon 'Mr. Burnet's return to
his country, he resumed the profession of the law. In
1723, he published, with a few explanatory notes, the
first vojume of bis father's " History of his own Time ;"
and, in 1732, Wrdte some remarks in defence of that his-
tory, in answer to lord Lahsdowne's; letter' tcf the author
of the u Reflection* historical and political.1' When Mr.
Burnet gave to the public, in 1734, the second Volume
p?|jie bishop's history, he added to it the life of that
emuient prelate. Ip Easter term 1786, he was called
|o the degree or serieant! qt law1; and; in-Mky 1740,* was
appointed king's Serjeant:, iri'thfc* ibotai of serjeant Eyre,
it "debased. When, in iy4li ju^i^ fbrtesciite was raised
i<:,to the mastership of the rolls, ^i Btirnet, in the month
'' .', pjf October in that year, sUdceeded him as one of the jus-
« tices of the court of common-pleak On the 23d of No-
w ". yemberA 1745, when the lord chancellor, the judges, and
' ', jtfie ^ssqciated gentlemen of thfe law, waited on the king,
rwith their address oh occasion of the rebellion, his majesty
' conferred upon, him the h'dnoitr of knighthood. He was .
, also ;a lumber. or me royal society. Sir Thomas Btfrnet con-
\ J;inuedjn the cburtdf common-pleas^ with great reputation,
1t{* Jtpjhis death, which happened on the 5tti of January, 1753.
][ ^Hp'djpd of theJgouiSrihis stomach, and left behind him the
■-* i?^?Fa?^ ^f*1? abjfe&ndE upright j udge> a sincere friend, a
^r^fl^W* ^^"^«©c»bJic'coiEnp»ttion, and a munificent ben$-

./ 'i . QC 2

3SS BURNET.

_ 4

fp.ctor to the poor. Dr. Ferdinando Warner, in his dedication
of sir Thomas More's Life to the then lord keeper Henley,
having mentioned that Mr. justice Burnet recommended
to him the translation of the Utopia, adds : " of whom I
take this opportunity to say with pleasure, and which your
lordship, I am sure, will allow me to say with truth, that
for his knowledge of the world, and his able judgment of
things, he was equalled by few, and excelled by none of
his contemporaries.'* The following clause in our learned
judge's will was the subject of conversation after his de-
cease, and was insetted in the monthly collections, as.
being somewhat extraordinary* " I think it proper in this
solemn act to declare, that as I have Kveft, so I trust, I
shall die, in the true faith of Christ as taught: in the
Scriptures ; but not as taught or practised in any one vi-
sible church that I know of; though I think the church of
England is its little stuffed with the inventions of men as
any of them ; and the church of Rome is so full of them,
as to have destroyed all that is lovely in the Christian
religion." This clause gave occasion to the publication
- of a serious and sensible pamphlet, entitled : " The true
Church of Christ, which, and where -to be found, ac-
cording to the Opinion of the late ju<}ge Burnet; with
an Introduction concerning divine worship, and a caution
to gospel preachers ;. .in which are contained, the Reasons
for that Declaration in his last Will and Testament,'1 A
judgment may be formed of his abilities in his profession,
from his argument in the case of Ryal and Rowls. In
1777 were published in 4to, " Verses written on several
occasions, between the years 1712 and 1721." These
"were the poetical productions of Mr. Burnet in his youth,
of whom it is said by the editor,- that he was connected in
friendship and intimacy with those wits, which will for
ever signalise the beginning of the present century ; and
that himself shone with no inconsiderable lustre amidst the
•constellation of geniuses which then so illustriously adorned
the British hemisphere.

It is related of him, that he would himself have pub-
lished his verses, if he had not thought that some of them
wete too light and sportive for the gravity of the judicial
character, and would derogate, in a certain degree, from
the dignity* of the tribunal to which be had ascended, Witji
regard to the * poems themselves, which are for the most
part very short, and chiefly upon amorous subjects, and

BURNET- 389

among which are several songs, and translations from the
Odes of Horace, their characteristic excellence is an easy
negligence and elegant simplicity. They are such pro-
ductions as might be expected from a young man of lively
parts and classical taste ; but who, at the samV. time, was
not endued with any extraordinary vigour of poetical ima-
gination. l

BURNETT (James),- lord Monboddo, a learned writer
of the eighteenth century, was descended from the an-
cient family of the Burnetts of Leys, in Kincardine*
shire, and was bom at the family seat of Monboddo,
fti October or November, 1714. He was first edu-
cated at the parish school of Laurencekirk, whence he
Went to King's college, Aberdeen, and after the usual
courses 'there, studied civil law at Groningeh. Oh his
return in 1738, he was admitted to the Scotch bar,
where he acquired considerable practice. During the
rebellion in 1745, when the administration of justice
Was interrupted, he went to London, where he became
Acquainted with some of the literati of the time, par*
tieulariy Mallet, Thomson, and Armstrong. These visits
lie often repeated, and enlarged his acquaintance and coj>
despondence with the succeeding generations of learned
men, most of whom he survived- During his practice at
the Scotch bar, he was particularly distinguished for the
part he took in the celebrated Douglas cause, and was
eminently instrumental in assisting the family of Douglas,
m the prosecution of a suit which was finally determined
in their favour. On the death of his relation lord Milton,
in 1767, he was promoted to the bench by the title of lord
Monboddo, which political intrigue delayed for some
**meV

During his periods of leisure, the course of his studies
led him to attempt the composition of a work, which
-should afford, to the confusion and astonishment of the
moderns, a complete vindication of the w»s4om and elo-
quence of bis admired ancients. The volumes of his
'* Origin fcnd Progress of Language," were published
about the year 1773, arid were very variously treated by
'ttofc ^critics. JFhose who were partial to modern literature,
'ita^ccount of their ignorance of that of antiquity, or who,
;thdngh not unacquainted with the more popular of the

•»• i. *» .. * - ■*■ .' i - *■

». • • •»*

I Biog. Brit-trNicbols's Life of Bewyer.

390

BURNETT.

ancient authors, were, however, strangers to the deeper
taystfcriea of Greek erudition, condemned lord Monboddo's
work with bitter and contemptuous censure. Nothing, it
was said, but the strange absurdity of his opinions, could
have hindered his book from falling dead-born from the
press. In the late Mr. Harris, however, (the philosopher
of Malmesbury), he found an admirer and Ikerary friend*
who was himself deeply versant in Grecian learning and
philosophy, and was exceedingly delighted to meet with
one that had cultivated those studies with equal ardour,
and worshipped the excellence of the ancient Greeks, as
far above all other excellence. Lord Monboddo's pri-
vate life was spent in the practice of all the social vir-
tues, and in the enjoyment of much domestic felicity ; the
latter, indeed, was foi* a time interrupted by the death of
a wiftl and son whohv he tenderly loved ; but he endured
the loss with a firmness fitted to do honour either to philo-
sophy or religion.

% In addition to hid office as a judge in the supreme civil
cqnrt^ in Scotland, an offer was made to him of a seat in
the court Of justiciary, the supreme criminal court. But
though the' emoluments of this place would have made a
convenient addition to bis income, he refused to accept
it, lest its business should too much detach him from the
pursuit of his favourite studies. His patrimonial estate
was small, not affording a revenue of more than 300/. a
year. : Yet he would not raise the rents, would never dis-
miss a poor Old tenant, for the sake of any augmentation
of entailment Offered by a richer stranger ; and, indeed,
shewed no particular solicitude to accomplish any im-
provement' upon his land*, save that of having the number
of persons who should Teside upon them as tenants, and
be there sustained by their produce, to be, if possible, .su-
perior to the population of Any equal portion of the lands
. of his neighbours.

:-^ *Fhe vacations of the '-court of session afforded him lei-
sure tti retire every year, in spring ahd /in autumn, to the
country; and he used then to dress in a style Of simplicity,
as if he had been only a plain farmer, and to live among
the people upon his estate, with all the kind familiarity
• and attention of an aged father among his grown-up chil-
dren. ItW^therte he* had the pleasure of receiving; Ik\
Samuel Johnson^ ;wben upon his well-known tour through
the islands of Scotland. Johnson admired nothing in litera-

BURNETT. S91

tureso much as the display of a keen discrimination of human
character, a just apprehension of the principles of moral ac-
tion, and that vigorous common-sense, which is the most hap-*
pily applicable to the ordinary conduct of life. Monboddo
delighted in the refinements, the subtleties, the abstractions,
and what may be called the affectations of literature ; and
in comparison with these, despised thegrossness of modern
taste and of common affairs. Johnson thought learning,
and science to be little valuable, except so far as they
could be made subservient to the purposes of living use-
fully and happily with the world on its own terms. Mon*
boddo's favourite science taught him to look down with
contempt upon all sublunary, and especially upon all mo*
dern things ; and to fit life to literature and philosophy,
not literature and philosophy to life.

As the work on the " Origin and Progress of Language''
was intended chiefly to vindicate the honours of Grecian
literature, he was induced to undertake another for the
purpose of defending the cause of Grecian philosophy*
The philosophy of ideas, first interestingly taught by
Plato* had been recently pursued by Berkeley and Hume,
into consequences of unavoidable scepticism and absur-
dity; the dialectics and metaphysical arrangements of
Aristotle had been exploded by the general reception of
the inductive logic of Bacon. To confound the scientific
pride of the puny moderns, and to prove that Aristotle
and Plato were despised and neglected only because they
were not understood, Monboddo wrote his " Ancient Me-
taphysics," which extended to six 4to volumes, published
at various periods from 1778. This work evinces, like the
other, his extravagant fondness for Grecian learning and
philosophy, and his scorn for all that was modern. It
proves, that, though versed in the science of Aristotlq and
Plato, he knew not, for want of a sufficient acquaintance
"With' modern literature, how to explain that science to his
contemporaries.

Amidst this progress of his literary and philp&ophical
studies, lord Monboddo neglected not his duties as ajudj
- Whether officiating singly, in the character of lord on
nary or reporting judge ; assisting his brother judges in
Ml oourt ; or attending to those parts of his judicial duty
Which were to be discharged by private study, ha wis still
solemnly and iodefatigably diligent in these engagements,
in preference to all others. As a lawyer, his arguments,

i, ; t ». j

392 BURNETT.;

opinions, and decisions, were sound, learned, marked
with acute discrimination, and free from fantastic peculiarity.
He was no favourer of the rich in preference to the poor ;
nor yet of the poor, at the expence of injustice to the
rich. All his whimsies and partialities as a scholar disap-
peared, when he came to determine concerning the rights
of his fellow subjects.

He died of a paralytic stroke, at his house in Edinburgh,
May 26, 1799.

His character is thus given by one of his successors on
the bench, lord Woodhouselee. Lord Monboddo " was a
man of great worth, honour, and moral rectitude, but of
much singularity of opinions and character, which ap- '
peared both in the doctrines contained in bis writings,' in
the strain of his conversation, apd in the habits of .his life. .
His notions of the origin pf language, arts, and sciences,,
are much akin to those of the Epicureans, of which Lu-
cretins has given an ample, detail in his fifth book ' De
rerum Natura,9 and which Horace has abridged in. the
third of bis satires;

9 Cum prorepserunt primis animalia terris/ &c.

The confirmation [of his theory of .language, his lordship
finds in the condition of savage nations., in those few ex-
amples of human creatures discovered in an insulated state,
in deserts, and in the rude and defective nature of some
languages, and the highly artificial and philosophical
structure of others, a*, the Greek, the Sanscreet, &c«.
Lord Monboddo carried his admiration of the ancients to
such a pitch, a$ to maintain their superiority over the
moderns, not only in philosophical attainments, recondite
science, the arts of painting, sculpture, architecture^ mu?'
sic, poetry, oratory, and all the various species pf literary
composition ; but even in bodily strength, stature, and.
longevity; esteeming the present race of mortals ? dege-
nerate, breed, both with respect to mental and corpqrea),
endowments. Yet, with all these eccentricities of opinion,"
his writings display great erudition, an uncommon, ac-
quaintance with Greek philosophy and literature, and a
just and excellent spirit of criticism, both on the authors
of antiquity, and on the English classical writers pf the last
and .preceding ag^s.

"His temper was affectionate, ^friendly, and s,opiat
He wasjo^iifx.cpwvial intercourse; and it was Jiis. d^ily
custom to unbend qiipstflf, after his professional labours, ;

BURNET T. 393

amidst a select party of literary friends, whom he invited
to an early supper. The entertainment itself partook of
the costume of the ancients ; it had all the variety and
abundance of a principal me^l ; and the master of the feast
crowned his wine, like Anacreon, with a garland of roses.
His conversation, too, had a race and flavour peculiarly
its. own; it was nervous, sententious, and tinctured with
genuine wit. His apothegms were singularly terse and
forcible ; and the grave manner in which he often con*
veyed the keenest irony, and the eloquence with which he
supported his paradoxical theories, afforded the highest
amusement of those truly attic banquets, which will be long
remembered by all who had the pleasure of partaking in
them."1 ' r ■ ,

BURNET (Thomas), D. D. rector of West Kington,
Wiltshire, and prebendary of Sarutn, was educated in
New^college, Oxford, where he became M. A. and onthe
8th, of July, 1720, he accumulated the degrees of B. D.
and D.J), for which he went out grand compounder. His
four principal works are, an " Answer to Tindal's Chris-
tianity as old as the Creation,*' a" Treatise on Scripture,
Politics," a course of Sermons preached at Mr. Boyle's
Lecture," and an " Essay on the Trinity,'* in which last
performance he endeavours, with great ingenuity and
plausibility, to unite the rationality claimed by the Uni-
tarians, with the orthodox language of those who admit the
Athanasian doctrine of the Trinity "This curious tract
is now so little known, as not to have been noticed in any
of the late Trinitarian controversies, excepting in a pam-
phlet entitled " Orthodoxy and "Charity united.".^ Dr.
Burnet died in May 1750. *

; BURNET (Dr. Thomas), a most ingenious and learned
writer, was born at Croft, in Yorkshire, about the year.
1,635. His first education was at the free-school of North-
Alverton, in that county, from whence h€ ^ys removed, in
June 1651, to Clare-hall in Cambridge, where he had
Dr. TjHotson for his tutor. Dr. Cudworth was at that time
master qf Clare-hall, but removed from it to the mastership .
of Christ's college, in 1654; and thither our author fol-
lowed him. Under his patronage he was' chosen fellow iri
1657, commenced M. A. in 1658, and became senior

1 Gartt and Europ. Ma jazines.—Brewifcer,s Cyclopaedia.— Tyt!ei*i Life <£
J^ortKames. * Bio*. Brit.

394 BURNET.

* t

proctor of the university in 1661 ; but it is uncertain bow
long afterwards he continued his residence there. He was
afterwards governor to the young earl of Wiltshire, son of
the marquis of Winchester, with whom be travelled abroad ;
and gave such satisfaction, that, soon after his return to
England, he was invited and prevailed on by the first duke
of Ormond, to travel in the s^me capacity with the young
earl of Ossory, bis grace's grandson and heir-apparent.
These honourable connections introduced him into what
may properly be called the world : in which he afterwards'
confirmed the reputation he already had for talents and!
learning, by the publication of his u Telluris theoria sacra,4
orbis nostri originem & mutationes generates, quas olim
subiitet subiturus est, complectens." This Sacred Theory
of the Earth was originally published in Latin, in 2 vols.
4to, the two first books concerning the deluge, and para-
dise, 1681 ; the two last, concerning the burning of the
world, and the new heavens and new earth, in 1689. The
uncommon approbation this work met with, and the par-
ticular encouragement of Charles II. who relished its
beauties, induced the author to translate it into English.
Of this translation he published the two first books in 1684,
folio, with an elegant dedication to the king ; and the two
last in 1689, with a no 'less elegant dedication to queen
Mary. " The English edition," he tells us, " is the same in
substance with the Latin, though, he confesses, not so
properly a translation, as a new composition upon the
same' ground, there being several additional chapters in it,
and several new moulded."

On May 19, 1685, he was made master of the Charter-
bouse* by the interest of the duke of Ormond ; and soon
after commenced LL. D. At what time he entered into
Orders, is not exactly known ; but it is plain that he was a
clergyman at his election to this mastership, from the ob-
jection then Jnado against him by some of the bishops ifrhd
were governors, namely, " that he generally appeared in
a Uy-habit/r which was over-ruled by bis patron the duke
of OnpQntf, by asserting in his favour, that he tad i»d
living 0T> Other ecclesiastical preferment; and that bis life
aud cpnif ersatipn were in all respects suitable to the cleri*
cal fhara£fcer.t In the latter end of 1686, Dr. Burnet's
integrity* pnK^flce, and resolution, were fully tried in
his Bewits^iopj ,upon the following occasion : one Aiicfr^w
Popbam* a &omaa Catholic, came to the Charter-house,

6 U fc N E T. 39*

with a letter from king James to the governors, requiring
tbem to choose and admit him the said Andrew Popham fi
pensioner thereof, " without tendering any oath or ottthi
unto him, or requiring of him any subscription, fecbg*-
nition, or other act of acts, in conformity to the doctrine
and discipline of the church of England as the same is now
established ; and notwithstanding any statute, order, or
constitution, of or in the said hospital ; with which, sayi
hjs majesty, we are graciously disposed to dispense hi his
behalf." On the meeting of the governors, the king's
letter was read, and the lord chancellor Jefferies moved,
that without any debate they should proceed to vote whe-
ther Andrew Popham should be admitted a pensioner of
the hospital, according to the king's letter. The matter,
Br. Burnet, as the junior, was to vote first, but he told
the governors, that be thought it was his duty to acquaint
their lordships with the state and constitution of that hos-
pital ; and, though this was opposed by some, yet, after
a little debate, he proceeded to observe, that to admit a
pensioner into the hospital without his taking the oaths of
allegiance and supremacy, was not only contrary' to* the
constitution of the hospital, but to an express act of paW
liament for the better establishment thereof. One of the
governors asked what this was to the purpose ? The duke
of Ormond replied, that he thought it much to the pur-
pose ; for ah act of parliament was not so slight a thing as
not to deserve a consideration. After some other dis-
course, the question was put, whether Popham should be
admitted ? . and passed in the negative. A second letter
from the k}ng was afterwards sent ; 'to which the governors,
in a letter addressed to his majesty, humbly replied, and

fave their reasons why they could hot admit Andrew Poj*-
am as a pensioner of the hospital. This not satisfying
ling James, he ordered chancellor Jefferies to find Out *
way how he might compel their submission, and the master
\*as particularly threatened to tie sammonedbefoVetbe'fcfc4*
clesiastical commissioners. But hi* subsequent -qtarrtb
with the universities, and the coihmotioils which fblld Wed,
prevented any farther proceeding bfr the? part of thte king.
JThis was the first stand made against thfe dispensing potafr
of that reign, by any society in England^1 and Was of great
importance to the public. A relation of the Chtrfeer-hotlse
proceedings upon this occasion >vas puMMhcA by D*. Bur-
hetml6&$. ^ ^ * . -v. ...... i > •. ,

396" BURNET.

*

< ' * ...

t

-After. the revolution, he was introduced to eourt by his
tutor and friend, archbishop Tillotson, and was made
chaplain to the king, and soon after, clerk of the closet.
He was now considered as in the high road to great prefer-
ment, and had certainly a fine prospect before him ;■ when
he ruined all by some unadvised strokes of his pen. Ift
1692 he published ^'Archseologise philosophical; sive doc-
trina antiqua de rerum originibus," 4to, with a dedication
to king William, whose character he draws with gr^at
strength of genius and art, and in that beautiful style
which was peculiar to himself. But neither the high rank
and authority of his patron, nor the elegance and learning
displayed throughout the work, could protect the atithor
from the clamours raised against him for allegorizing in a
very indelicate manner the scripture account of the fell of4
Adpgn and Eve. In -consequence of which, as appears
from a Latin letter written by himself to Walters, a hook-
seller at Amsterdam, dated Sept 14, 1694, he desires to
have the most offensive parts omitted in the future editions
of that work. He had expressed himself to the same pur-
poee, some time -before the date of this letter, in a Latifi
epistle, " Ad vkam clarissimum circa ntipef editum 3e
Arctasologiis Philosophicis libelhlm ;" where be says/' that*
he cheerfully wished that any passages which have jjkfcri •
offence to the pious and wise, and particularly the dialogue'
between Eve and the Serpent, may be expunged; The!
persoq tovwhon this letter is addressed, add 'also asfeconcP
afterward? upor* the same subject, was generally urider^
stood to be archbishop Tillotson* Both the letters are
subjoined to the second edition of " Arcbseoibgite philo-:
sopbio*/' printed in 1728, in 8vo, and in both be a<N-/
knowledges sacred scripture, whether literally of- riiyttte?
cally understood, to be given us from heaven, as tbettafe*
of our faith, the guide of our life, and the refuge of <>Ur
salvation; and professes to pay to it all possible respect*/
honour, and veneration. ' - : '»vj e '«

.NBut all this proved insufficient; and the itorm ife&etf
agaiast hiei was rather increased than abated, bytkeeh-
cmoium which Mr. Charles Blount, the deiatical author of
the: ¥ Qmdeaof Reason/9 thought proper to bestow trportf
fctswodL Blount, in a letter to his friend Gildon, tells hrtri^
that " according to bis promise, he has sent him a transferer
of the seventh aad eighth, chapters, and also the appen-
dix, of the great and learned Dr. Burnet's " Archseologiaa

BURNET.

397

philosophies," &c. a piece which he thinks one of the
most ingenious he ever read, and full of the most actke
as well as learned observations. The seventh and eighth
chapters, here translated for Mr. Gild on' s use, were, un-
fortunately, the most objectionable in the whole work ; and
being immediately Adopted by an infidel writer, gave such
support to the complaints of the clergy, that it was judged
expedient, m that critical season, to remove him from his
place of clerk of the closet. He withdrew accordingly
from -court ; and, if Mr. Oldmixon can be credited, ac-
tually missed the see of Canterbury, upon the death of TiU
lotson * on account of this very work, which occasioned him to
be tbej* represented by some bishops as a sceptical writer.
£fo *ben Mtired to his studies in the Charter-house, with-
out seeking, or perhaps desiring, any farther preferment J
for he does- not appear to have been a- man- of ambition ;
and tfre-re be lived, in a single state, to a good old age*,
dyigg Sept 27, 1715.

In. -1 7 27, two other learned and elegant Latin works of
our author were published in 8vo ; one, " De fide et officii*
Chiietianorum," the other, " De statu mortuorum et re*
su^gentium." - Burnet had- himself caused to be struck off
4&3h^.pres* a f#w copies of each of tbese*wo?k4; for ttoe
ut0iof himself and some private friends; but did not in*
t?i>d th$m for die public, there being some point* dis-
c^saediu tfiem against the' scripture account of future
p^ipshmenty which he thought not- so proper to be com-
municated openly, Yet, surreptitious copies from proof-
sheets getting into the world, and the works being mangled
and full of faults, Mr. Wilkinson, of Litio6ln's-inn, Burfcietfe
particular friend, and who was in possession of tdi thitf
papers* thought it proper to publish a copy of them cor-
rected by the doctor himself; as h$- did ia 1 727. . To the
second [edition, in 1 7 $3* of " De statu mortuorum* et re-
sw^eptium," is added an appendix, " De futura Judseoruifc
r^t^urMione :M 4t appearing to the editor from Burnef*
papers, that it was designed to be placed there; He W
faidaisfeto havg been the author of three sihall pieces
without his name, under the title of " Remarks «pon sot
$ssay- concerning human understanding;" the two first"
published in 1697, the last in 1699; ^hich " Remarks"
were answered by Mrs. Catherine Trotter, afterwards Mrs.
Cockburn, then but twenty-three years of age, in her
j)efoa$e of Mr. Locke's Essay, printed in May* 1702;

.^^<

\ ?9« B U »N|T.

These pieces, however, . were apt ftppag the acknowledged
works pf Dr. Burnet. > ■ *

Of the Sacred Theory of the Earth, which is the principal
pi all his prpductipns, the substance is this ; between the . be-
ginning ajid end of the world, be supposes several interme-
diate periods, m which he conceives that nature undergoes
various changes. Those whi^ch respect .this terraqueou«
globe, he belvejKC^ to have, been recorded in $he sacred
Scriptures, . jf>om these con^pai^d with profane bisjtpry,
he attempts tp prpve, that the primaeval e^rth.aa it rose
out qf chaos, was of a different form *nd structure from
the present, and was such, that fr<?n> its, (dissolution wQuld
naturally arise an, universal deluge, • Such ^ change in the
state of the globe, he infers from the general aspect pf its
surface in the, present day ; ^nd he. argues^ that since it is
the nature of fluids tpform a smooth surface* the eprth,
which 7&s at first a chaQtie mass in ^ fluid ^Ute, as it gra-
dually became solid by the exhalation of ^he lighter par-
ticle of sir and water, would stUl retain its regular super-
ficies, so that the new earth would resemble an egg. . The
earth, in this' paradisaical state, he supposes to be capable
of sending ,fprth its vegetable. prc^U^tipns withq\i£ rain,
and tq enjoy, a perpetual serene and cloudless at*npspbpre.
In process of time,, he conceived that the surface of the
earth, by the continual action of the f*}'0 of the sup, tyQuld
become so parched, as to < occasion gaat fissures, through
which the waters of the great abyss, contained wkhitv-the
bowels, of the earth, yoqld be sept fprtfi by means of elastic
yapours, expanded, by heat, and acting with irresistible
force upon their surface ; whence a universal deluge would
ensue, and in the violent concussion, lofty mountains,
craggy rqcta, and other varieties in the external, foru^ of
the earth, would appear. Our theorist also conjectures,,
that the earth, in its original state, owed its universal
spring, to the coincidence of the plane pf the ecliptic, fyith
that of the equator; and supposes that, at the deluge, the
,; pole of the ecliptic changed its, position, and became .ob-
lique to the plane of the equator. From, similar Gauges
be conceives that the final conflagration will be ^pro-
duced. This theory is well imagine^ /supported, vyith
much erudition, and described with great elegjWPQ of
diction ; but. it can only be considered as an ingenious
fiction, which re&ts upon no other foundation thaaj^ere

BURNET. 39*

■ Yet it would be endless to transcribe all the encemiums
passed on it. Mr. Addison, in 1699, wrote a Latin ode
in its praise, which has been prefixed to many editions of
it. An able writer, Dr. Warton, in his " Essay on Pope/9
has not scrupled, from this single work, to rank Dr. Bur-
net with the very few, in whom the three great faculties of
the understanding* viz. judgment, imagination, and me-
mory, have been found united. According to him, there
have existed but few trampendant geniuses, who have been
singularly blessed with this rare assemblage of different
talents; and Burnet, in his Theory, he thinks has displayed
an imagination very nearly equal to that of Milton.

But, notwithstanding these encomiums on Burnet, it
cannot be affirmed that his Theory is built upon principles
of mathematics and sound philosophy; on the contrary,
men of science were displeased *t him for presuming to
erect a theory, which he would have received as true, with-
out proceeding on that foundation. Flamstead te reported
" to have told him/ somefrbat peevishly, that " therfe went
; more to the making of a world, than a fine-turned period,"
And that " he was able to overthrow the Theory in one sheet
of paper." Others attacked it in form. Mr. Erasmus Warren,
redtorof Wotlirtgton,in Suffolk, published two piefces against
it Soon after its appearance in English, and Dr. Burnet an-
; sSvered them ; which pieces, with their answers, have been
printed at die end of the later editions of the Theory.
' Mr. John Keill, S&vilian professor of geometry in Oxford,
published also an Examination of it in 1698, to which Dr.
Burnet replied; and then Mr. Keill defended himself.
Burnet's reply to Keill is subjoined to the later editibns
df bis Theory; and Keill> Examination and Defence
together with his " Remarks and Defence upon Whiston's
Theory,*' were reprinted together in 1734,' 8vo. It is uni-
* ^ersally allowed that Keill has solidly confuted the Theory ;
'" tod it is to be lamented that he did it in the rough way of
controversy; yet there are many passages in his confiita-
' lion, which shew, that he at the same time entertained the
highest opinion of the author. " I acknowledge him {skya
° he) to be an ingenious writer; and if he had taken a ri^ht
method, and had made a considerable progress in- those
' sciences that are introductory to the study 'HP nittfre, I
doubt not but he would have madd'to very fetcute'philoso-
pher. It was his unhappiness to begin St first with the
Cartesian philosophy ; and not having a sufficient stock of

4pp SUBNET.

geometrical . and mechanical principles to examine it
rightly, he too easily believed it, and thought' that these
was but little skill required in those sciences to become a
philosopher; and therefore, in imitation' of Mens. Pes
Cartes, he would undertake to shew how the world was
inade ; a task too great, even for a mathematician/9

Many, perhaps, may wonder that a book fundamentally
wrong, should run through so many editions, and be so
much read ; but the reason is plain. No man reads
Homer's Iliad for history, any more than he reads Milt0b?tf
Paradise Lost for divinity; though it ia possible there may
be true history in the one, as it is certain there is some true:
divinity in the other. Such works are read, purely tp ,e&*
tertain and amuse the fancy ; and it is not the story that is
sought after, but the greatness of imagery, and nobleness
of sentiments, with which they abound. Why may not
Burnet's Theory of the Earth be read with the same view?;
It is not true in philosophy ; but it is full of vast and sub-
Kme conceptions, presents to the imagination new and
astonishing scenes, and will therefore always furnish a high
entertainment to the reader, who. is capable of being-
pleased as well as instructed. This even Keill himself al-
lows: u For, as I believe (says he) never any book was.,
fuller of errors and mistakes in philosophy, so none €^v«r
abounded with more beautiful scenes and surprising
images of nature. But I write only to those who might
perhaps expect to find a true philosophy in it ; they who
read it as an ingenious romance, Will still, be pleased with
their entertainment." l • .

BURNET (Dr. Thomas), a physician of Scotland, of
whose birth, life, and death, we find nothing recorded,
. except what the title-pages of his books set forth ; namely,
that he was M. D. " medicus regius, et collegii regii nae*
dicorum Edinburgeusis spcius." His name deserves to be
preserved, however, for the sake of two useful works, whioh.
he has left. One is, " Thesaurus medicines practic«*Tf
Lond. 1673, 4to; a collection from the best practical
"writers, the last edition of which, greatly enlarged by him- .
self, was published at Geneva, J. 698, 4to* Haller t?nu>
merates twelve editions of it The other, "> Hippocrates.

1 Originally written for this Dictionary, by Dr. Ralph Heatbcote. Spe altfa
Biog. Brit.—Brucker's Hist, of Philosophy.— Ward's Gresham Professors.-^-
Jtichols's Bowyer.

BORNE T, 40*

contractus/ in qtia Hippocratis omnia in breverti epitpmen
reducta debentur," Edinb. 1685, 8vo. A neat edition of
this was printed at London, 1743, 12010.1

BURNS (Robert), an eminent modern poet of Scot-
land, was born on the 29th day- of January, 1759, in a small
house about two miles from the town of Ayr, in Scotland.
His father, William, after various attempts to gain a live-
lihood, took a lease of seven acres of land, with a view of
commencing nurseryman and public gardener ; and having
buik a house upon it with his own hands, he married, De-
cember 1757, Agnes Brown. The first fruit of his mar-
riage was Robert, who in his sixth year was sent to a
school at Alloway Miln, about a mile distant from his fa-
ther's house, where he made considerable proficiency in
reading and writing, and where he discovered an inclina-
tion for books not very common at so early an age. With
these, however, he appears at that time to have been ra-
ther scantily supplied ; but what he could obtain he read,
with avidity and improvement. About the age of thirteen
or fourteen, he was sent to the parish school of Dalrymple,
where he increased his acquaintance with English gram-
mar, and gained some knowledge of the French language',
Latin was also recommended to him; but he was not in-
duced to make any great progress in it. In the intervals:
from these studies, be was employed on his father's farm,
which, in spite of much industry, became so unproductive
aa to involve the faiftily in great distress. This early, por-
tion of affliction is said to have been, in a great measure,
the cause of that depression of spirits of which our poet
often complained, and during which his sufferings appear
to have been very acute. His father having taken another
fartp, the speculation was yet more fatal, and involved his
affairs in complete ruin. He died Feb. 13, 1784.

It was between the fifteenth and sixteenth year of his
age, that Robert, as he himself inforchs us, first "com-
mitted the sin of rhyme/' Having formed a boyish affec-
tion for a female who was his companion in the toils of the
field, be composed a song, which is inserted in his works ;
but which, however extraordinary from one at his age,
and in his circumstances, is far -inferior to any of his sub-
sequent performances, He was at this time " an ungainly,
awkward boy/7 unacquainted with .the world, but who

1 Haller Bibl. Med.— aad Manget.

Vol. VII. D d

402 BURNS.

occasionally bad picked up some notions- of history, literal
ture, and criticism, from the few books within his teach*
These, he inforrhs us, were Salmon's and Guthrie'^ Geo-
graphical Grammars, the Spectator, Pope's Works, some
plays of Shakspeare, Tull and Dickson on Agriculture, the
Pantheon, Locke's Essay on the Human Understanding,
Stackhouse's History of the Bible) Justice's British- Gar-
dener's Directory, Boyle's Lectures, Allan Ranansay's
Works, Taylor's Scripture Doctrine of Original Sin, a Sev
lect Collection of English Songs, and Kerrey' s Media-
tions. Of this motley assemblage, it may readily be'sup*-
posed, that some would be studied, and some read superv
ficially. There is reason to think) however, that he *pe+
<rused the works of the poets with such attention, as, as-
listed by his naturally vigorous capacity, soon directed- his
taste, and enabled him to discriminate tenderness 'and 6ufc-
limity from affectation and bombast - • '

It appears afterwards, that during the space of seven
years in which the family lived atTarboltQB* where fate
father's last farm was situated, that is^ 'from, the seven-
teenth to the twenty-fourth year of Robert's age, he-made
so considerable literary improvement, involved* as be was,
in the common difficulties ofr his family : but still <th«f in-
nate peculiarities of bis character displayed fthemsetvglf,
always to the astonishment, and some tuftes to the .terror of
his neighbours. He was distinguished by a vigorous un-
derstanding, and an untameable spirit; His resentments
-were quick, and, although not durable, expressed with* it
volubility of indignation which could not but silence and
overwhelm his bumble and illiterate associates; while the
occasional effusions of his muse on temporary sub^ects^
which were handed about in manuscript raised hies to -a
local superiority that seemed the earnest of a more tea*
tended fame. His first motive to compose verses, as. has
been already noticed, was his early and warm attach*-
ment to the fair sex. His favourites were'in the humblest
walks of life ; but, during his passion** he- elevated tbecfc
to Lauras and Saccharissa&. His attachments* however, at
•this time, were of the purer kind, and his constant theme
the happiness of the married state ; to obtain a suitable
provision for which, he engaged in partnership with a
flax -dresser, hoping, probably, to attain by degrees the
rank of a manufacturer. But this speculation was attended

BURNS. 403

with -very little success, and. was finally ended by an ac-
eidental fire.

This calamity, the distresses of his family, and a dis-
appointment in a love affair, threw him for some time into
a state of melancholy, which be seems to have considered
as constitutional; but from which he was roused by an
accidental acquaintance with some jovial companions, who
gave a more gay torn to his sentiments. On bis father's
death, he took a farm in conjunction with his brother, with
the honourable view of providing for their large and orphan
family. On this farm our poet entered^ with a resolution
to be wise ; he read books on agricnlture, calculated crops,
and attended markets. But here, too, he was doomed to
be unfortunate, although, in his brother Gilbert, he had a
coadjutor of excellent sense, a man of. uncommon powers
both of- thought and expression. During his residence on
this farm with his brother, he: formed a connexion with a
young woman, the consequences of which could. not be
long concealed. In this diiemma, the imprudent couple
agreed to make a legal acknowledgment of an irregular and
private marriage, and projected that she should' remain
with her father, while he, having lost all hopes of success
at- home, was to go to Jamaica " to push his fortune."
This proceeding, however romantic it may appear, would
have rescued the lady's character, consonant to the laws of
Scotland, which allow of greater latitude in the terms and
period of the marriage-contract than those of England ;
but it did notjsatisfy her father, who insisted on having all
the written documents respecting the marriage cancelled,
and by this unfeeling measure he intended that it should
be rendered void* The daughter consented, probably un-
-der the awe of parental authority; and our poet, though
with1 much anguish and reluctance, was also obliged to
submit. Divorced now from all he held dear in the world,
he had no resource but in his projected voyage to Jamaica*
Which was prevented by a circumstance which eventually
laid' the foundation of his future tame. For once, hie
poverty stood his friend : he was destitute of every* neces-
sary* for the voyage, and was therefore advised to raise a
sum of money by publishing his poems in the way of sub-
scription. They were accordingly printed at Kilmarnock,
in* 1786, in a small volume, which was encouraged by sub-
sciftptiofiS'ii'Qr about 3-50 copies** It is hardly possible, say

PD2

404 BURNSi

his countrymen who were on the spot at this time* to ex-
press with what eager admiration and delight these poems
were every where received. Old and young, high and
low, grave and gay, learned and ignorant, all were alike
delighted, agitated, transported. Such transports would
naturally find their way into the bosom of the author, espe-
cially when be found that, instead of the necessity of flying
from his native land, he was now encouraged to go to
Edinburgh and superintend the publication of a second
edition.

This was the most momentous period of his life, in
which he was to emerge from obscurity and poverty to dis-
tinction and wealth. In the metropolis he was soon intror
duced into the company and received the homage of men
of literature, rank, and taste; and his appearance ami
behaviour at this time, as they exceeded all expectation^
heightened and kept up the curiosity which his works had
excited. He became the object of universal admiration
and fondness, and was feasted, caressed, and flattered* as
if it had been impossible to reward his merit too highly* or
to grace his triumphal entry by too many solemnities. >Bu*
what contributed principally to extend his fame into the
sister kingdom, was his fortunate introduction to Mr, Mac-
kenzie, who, in the 97th paper of the Lounger, then po-
lished periodically at Edinburgh, recommended hi* poems
by judicious specimens, and such generous aftd< elegant
criticism, as" placed the poet at once in the rank be was
destined to hold. From this time, whether present or
absent, Burns and his genius were the objects which en-
grossed all attention and all conversation.

It cannot be surprising if so much adulation, in this
new scene of life, produced effects on Burns which were
the source of much of the unhappiness of his future lifq :
for, while he was admitted into the company of men of
taste, delicacy, and virtue, he was also seduced, by presp-
;- ing invitatioqs, into the society of those whose; habits,
without being very gross, are yet too social and inconsi-
derate; and the festive indulgences of these his companions
and professed admirers were temptations which often be-
came irresistihle. Among his superiors in rank and merit,
his behaviour was in general decorous and unassuming;
but among his more equal or inferior associates, he W4as
permitted to dictate the mirth of the evening, and repaid
the attention and submission of his hearers by s&Uie* oCwit,

BURNS, 405

which, frond one of his birth and education, in addition to
their sterling value, had all the fascination of wonder. His
introduction, about the same time, into certain convivial
plubs of higher rank was, to say the least, an injudicious
mark of respect to ope who, whatever bis talents, was
destined, unless very uncommon aad liberal patronage
should interpose, to return to the plough, and to the sim-
ple and frugal enjoyments of a peasant's life.

During his residence at Edinburgh, his finances were
considerably improved by the new edition of his poems ;
End this enabled him not only to partake of the pleasures
pf that city, but to visit several other parts of his native
country. He left Edinburgh May 6, 1787,, and in the
course of his journey was hospitably received at the houses
of many gentlemen of worth and learning, who introduced
him to their friends and neighbours, and repeated the ap-
plauses on which he had feasted in the metropolis. Of
this tour he wrote a journal, which still exists, and of which
isome specimens have been published. He afterwards tra-
velled into England as far Us Carlisle. In the beginning
6f June he arrived at JVfossgiel, near Mauchlin, in Ayrshire,
after an absence of six months, during which h^ had ex-
perienced a happy reverse of fortune, to which the hopes
of few men m his situation could have aspired. He per*
ffthned another journey the same year, of which there are
a few minutes in the work already referred to, and which
furnished him with subjects for his muse. His companion
-in some of these tours was a Mr. Nicol, a man of consi-
derable talents, but eccentric manners, who was endeared
to Burns not only by the warmth of his friendship, but by
a certain congeniality of sentiment and agreement in ha-
bits. Hits sympathy, in some other instances, made our
poet capriciously fond of companions, who, in the eyes of

;*nf#n of more* regular conduct and more refined notions,
were insufferable,
'During the greater part of the winter, 1787-8, Burns

• again resided in Edinburgh, and entered with peculiar
fetish into its gaieties. By his patrons of the higher order
hfe was still respected and caressed ; but, as the singu-
larities of his manner displayed themselves more openly,
0ihJ as the novelty of his appearance wore off, be became

"less an object of general curiosity and attention. He lin-
gered long in this place, however, in hopes that some si-
piftiqn woqld hgve been offered which might place him in

406 BURNS.

independence : but as it did not seem probable that any
thing of that kind would occur soon, he began seriously to
reflect that he had as yet acquired no permanent situation
in the world^ and that tours of pleasure and praise would *
not provide for the wants of a family. Influenced by these
fcpnsiderations, and probably ashamed of a delay which was
not in unison with his native independence, of mind, he
quitted Edinburgh in the month of February 1788. Find-
ing himself master of nearly 500/. from the s&le of his
poems, after discharging all expences, he took the farm
of Ellisland, near Dumfries, and stocked it- 'with part of
this money, besides generously advancing 200/. to his
brother Gilbert, who was struggling with many difficulties
in the farm of Mossgiel. He was now also legally united
to Mrs* Burns, who joined him, with their children, about
the end of this year ; and now rebuilt the dwelling-house
on his farm, to render it more commodious to his family ;
and white the regulations of the farm had the charm of no-
velty, he passed his time in more tranquillity than he had
lately experienced. But, unfortunately,' his old habits
were rather interrupted than broken. He was dgaili invited
into social parties, with the additional recommendation of
* a man who had seen the world, and lived with the gi'eat;
and again partook of those irregularities for which nien 'of
warm imaginations, and conversation- talents, find too mutiny
apologies. But a circumstance now occurred which pre-
sented a new species of temptations! and threw many ob-
stacles in his way as a farmer.

It has already been noticed, that Burns very Fondly-
cherished those notions of independence, and those feel*
ings of an independent spirit that are dear to th6 young
and ingenuous, and were, perhaps, not less so to him, be-
cause so often sung by the greatest of our pofcts. But he
had not matured these notions by reflection ; and he' was
now to learn, that a little knowledge of the wortd will
overturn many such airy fabrics. If we may form any
judgment, however, from his correspondence, his expec-
tations were not very extravagant, since he expected only
that some of his illustrious patrons would have placed hiro,
pn whom they had bestowed the honours of genius, in a
situation where his exertions might have been uninter-
rupted by the fatigues of labour, and the calls of want.
Disappointed in this, be now formed a design of applying
for die office of exciseman, as a kind of resource in case

BURN $L 407

bis expectations from the farm should be baffled* By the
interest of one of his friends, this object was accomplished ;
and after the usual forms were gone through, he was ap-
pointed exciseman, or, as it is vulgarly called, gauger, of
the district in which be lived. It soon appeared, as might

, naturally have been expected, that the duties of this office
were incompatible with his previous employment. " His
farm/9 says Dr. Currie, " was, in a great measure, aban-
doned to his servants, while he betook himself to the duties
of his new appointment He might still, indeed, be seen
in the spring, directing his plough, a labour in which he
excelled, or with a white sheet, containing his seed-corn,
slung across his shoulders, striding with measured steps
along his turned-up furrows, and scattering the grain in
the earth. But his farm no longer occupied the principal
, part of his care or his thoughts. It was not at Ellisland
that be was now in general to be found : — Mounted on
horse-back, this high-minded poet was pursuing the de-
faulters of the revenue among the hills and vales of NithsT
dale, his roving eye wandering over the charms of nature,
and muttering his wayward fancies as he moved along.79

About this time (1792), he was solicited, and cheerfully
consented, to give his aid to a beautiful work, entitled " A
select collection of original Scottish Airs for the Voice : tp.
which are added introductory and concluding symphonies
and accompaniments for the piano forte and violin, by
Pleyel and Kozeluchi ; with select and characteristic verses
by the most admired Scottish poets, &c." This work was
projected by Mr. George Thomson, of Edinburgh, in whom
Burns would have found a generous employer, had he nott
from motives understood only by himself, refused every
offer of remuneration. He wrote, however, with attention
and without delay, for this work, all the songs which foyn

. the third volume of the edition of his works in 3 vols. 1.2mo;
to which may be added those he contributed to the
" Scots Musical Museum," conducted by Mr. James John-
son, and published in volumes, from 174J7 to 17.97.

Burns also found leisure to form a society for purchasing
^pd circulating books among the farmers of the neighbour-
hood ; but these, however praiseworthy employments, still
interrupted the attention he ought to have bestowed on his
farm, which became so unproductive that he found it con*

. yenient to resign it, and, disposing of his stock and crop,

, reroqved to a small house which he. ha$ taken in Dumfries*

406 BUR N S.

a short time previous to his lyric engagement with Mr.
Thomson. He had now received from the board of excise,
in consequence of his diligence and integrity, an appoint-
meat to a new district, the emoluments of which amounted
to about seventy pounds sterling per annum. While at Dum-
fries, his temptations to irregularity, partly arising from the
wandering and unsettled duties of his office, and partly
from the killing kindness of his friends, recurred so fre-
quently as nearly to overpower those resolutions, which he
appears to have formed with a perfect knowledge of what is
right and prudent During his quiet moments, however,
he was enlarging his fame by those admirable compositions
he sent to Mr. Thomson: and his temporary sallies and
flashes of imagination, in the merriment of the social table,
still bespoke a genius of wonderful strength and of high
captivations. It has been said, indeed,-, with great justice,
that, extraordinary as his poems are,' they afford but an
inadequate proof of the powers of their author, or of that
acuteness of observation and fertility of expression he dis-
played on the most common topics in conversation. In
the, society, likewise, of persons of taste- and respectability,
he could refraiu from those indulgences which among his
more constant companions probably formed his chief re-
commendation,

The emoluments of his office, which now composed hife
whole fortune, soon appeared insufficient for the main-'
tenance of bjs family* He did not, indeed, from the first,
expect that they could ; but he had hopes of promotion at
no gj?£?£ distance .of time, and would probably have at*
taioed ifr(if, he had not forfeited the favour of the board of
excise,, bjf some conversations on the state of public affairs,
the, revolution of France, &c. which were deemed highly-
improper,, and were, probably, reported to the board m a
%vay not calculated to lessen their effect. An drapiiry was
ther^re instituted into his conduct, the result of which;
alt^pjug^ rather favourable, was not so much so a»tb re~
ins|a,t£ him iu the good opiivion of the commissioners.* ln^
terest jva^ necessary to enable him to refcutiJais office? and
he vv^ informed that his promotion was deferred, andmtfrtfc
depend^ c^ his future behaviour. He is said to* have de-^
fende.4\hi^e)f on this occasion in a letter addressed to*
one of the board with much spirit and < skill. He wtote
another letter to a gentleman, who, hearing that j he ' bad
been disqjiswd; from bis situation, proposed a subscription

BURNS. 409

for* him. Itr this last he gives an account of the whole
transaction, and endeavours to vindicate his loyalty ; he
also contends for an independence of spirit, which he
certainly possessed, and which, in many instances, he de-
cidedly proved, but which yet appears to have partaken of
that ardent seal and extravagance of sentiment which are
fitter to point a stanza than to conduct a life.

Although not satisfied with the issue of this affair, hp
continued to look up to the contingencies and gradations
of promotion. Iji a letter written to one of his patrons
(whose name is concealed), dated 1794, he states that he
is -on the list of supervisors ; that in two or three years he
should be at the head of that list, and be appointed, as a
matter of course ; but that then a friend might be of ser-
vice in getting him into a part of the kingdom which he
would like. A supervisor's income varies from about 120/.
to 200/. a year ; but the business, he says, is " an inces-
sant drudgery, and would be -nearly a complete bar to
every species of literary pursuit." He proceeds, how*
ever, to. observe, that the moment he is appointed super*
visor in the < common rontine, he might be nominated on
the collector's list, '*and this is always a business purely
of political patronage; A collectorship varies from much
better than two hundred a year to near a thousand. Col-
lectors also come forward by precedency on the list,
and have, besides a handsome income, a life of complete
leisure* A life of literary, leisure,' with a decent compe-
tence, is the summit of my wishes.'* He then respectfully
solicits the interest of his correspondent to facilitate this.

Pe was doomed, however, to continue in his present
employment for the remainder of his days, which were not
mafvy. His constitution, which " had all the peculiarities
an4 delicacies that belong to the temperament of genius/*
was now rapidly decaying ; yet, although sensible that his
race waa nearly runy his resolutions of amendment were
but feeble. His temper, amidst many struggles between
principle and passion, became irritable and gloomy, and
he ,wa* eye« insensible to the kind forgiveness and soothing
attention* of his afibdtionate wife. In the month of June;
1796* ► he removed to Brow, inAnnandale, about tefr miles
from. Dumfries* to try the effect of sea-bathing ; a remedy
that at- fi rst, he imagined, . relieved ' the rheumatic pains
in his limbs, with which he bad been afflicted for some
snoittbfrf but this was immediately followed by a new

410 BURN*.

attack of fever. When brought back to bi» bouse at Dum-
fries, on the 18 th of July, be was no longer able to stand
upright. The fever increased, attended with delirium and
debility, and on the 21 at he expired, in the thirty-eighth
year of his age. His funeral was accompanied with mi*
Jitary honours, not only by the corps of Dumfries .volun-
teers, of which he was a member, but by the. fencible in-
fantry, and a regiment of the Cinque Port cavalry, then
quartered in Dumfries.

He left a widow and four sons, for whom the inhabitants*
of Dumfries opened a subscription, which, being extended
to tngland, produced a considerable sum for their imme-
diate necessities. This has since been augmented by. the
profits of the splendid edition of his works, printed in four
volumes, Svo; to which Dr. Currie, of Liverpool, pre-
fixed a life, written with .much elegance and taste. . <

As to the person of our poet, he is described as being
nearly five feet ten inches in height, and of, a form that
indicated agility as well as strength. His well-raised fore-
head, .shaded with black curling hair, expressed uncom-
mon capacity. His eyes were large, dark, full of ardour
and .animation. His face was well formed, and his coun-
tenance uncommonly interesting. Of bis general beha-
viour, some traits have already been given. . It usually
bespoke a mind conscious of superior talents, not however
unmixed with the affections. which beget familiarity, and
affability. It was consequently various, according to the
various modes in which he was addressed, or supposed
himself to be treated: for it may easily be imagined that
he often felt disrespect where none was meant. His con-
versation is universally allowed to have been uncommonly
fascinating, and rich in wit, humour, whim, and occasion-
ally in serious and apposite reflection. This excellence,
however, proved a lasting misfprtune to him : for wiau)e,it
procured him the friendship of men of character and jtaste,
in whose company his humour was guarded and cbaatoe* fit
bad also allurements for the lowest of mankind, who know
no difference between freedom and licentiousness, and are
pever $o completely gratified as when genius condescends
to give a kind of. sanction to their grossness. Yet with all
bis failings, no man had a quicker apprehension of right and
wrong in human conduct, or, a stronger sense of what was
ridiculous or mean in morals or manners* His own errors
be well knew and lamented* and th$t spirit o£ inc^pea-

BURNS. 411

(fence which he claimed, and so frequently exhibited, pre*
served him from injustice or selfish insensibility. He died
poor, but not in debt, and left behind him a name, the
fame of which will not be soon eclipsed.

Of bis poems, which have been so often printed, and so
eagerly read, it would be unnecessary here to enter into a
critical examination. All Teaders of taste and sensibility
have agreed to assign him a high r&nk among the rural
poets of his country. His prominent excellencies are hu-
Bffiour, tenderness, and sublimity; a combination rarely
found in modern times, unless in the writings of a few poets
of \ the very highest fame, with whom it would be improper
to compare him. As he always wrote under* the impress-
won of actual feeling, much of the character of the man
tnay be discovered in the poet. He executed no great
work, for he never was in a situation which could afford
the means of preparing, executing, and polishing a work
of magnitude. His time he was compelled to borrow from
labour, anxiety, and sickness. Hence his poems are short,
Various, and frequently irregular. It is not always easy to
predict, from the beginning of them, what the conclusion or
general management will be. They were probably written
Ht one -effort* and apparently with fcase. He follows the
guidance of an imagination, fertile in its images, but irre-
gahtf in its expressions', and apt to be desultory. Hence
he mixes the most affecting' tenderness with humour al-
most coarse, and from this frequently soars to a sentiment
.of sublimity, a lofty flight, indicative of the highest powers
of the art. Although in pursuit of flowers, he dofes- not
scruple to pick up a weed, if it has any thing singular in.
its' appearance, or apposite in its resemblance. Yet the
roller, who has befeii accustomed to study nature, and the
. varieties of the human mind, will always find something in
unison with his boldest transitions.

> If the merit of a poet is to be estimated by comparison,
Burns has certainly surpassed his countrymen Ramsay and
'flPergusson, the Only two writers of any eminence with
' Mnrhom a comparison has been, or can be instituted. In his
early attempts, these were the best models he had to fol-
low; and it is evident that he had studied their works, and
derived considerable improvement from them. He ac-
knowledged that, meeting with Fergusson's Scottish Poems,
he H strung his lyre anew with emulating vigour." But still
he exceeds in versatility of tadent. - The- poems of Ramsay

412 BURNS.

and Fergusson are characterized by humour or pathos
only : but our poet, while his humour was more exuberant
than theirs, and his pathos equally touching, rose superior
by flights of the sublime and terrible, which they never
attained. He may therefore be believed when he says,
that " although he had these poets frequently in his eye,
it was rather with a view to kindle at their flame, than to
servile imitation."

Burns Was entirely the poet of nature. — Of literature he
had none. He knew the Greek and Roman poets, if he
knew them at all, only in translations. There have been,
indeed, few poets less indebted to art and education. He
was a total stranger to the tinsel, the overloading epithets^
and other shifts of modern poets. If he read French, he
imbibed nothing of the French manner : but his knowledge
of that language does not appear to have been very inti-
mate, although some common-place phrases occur in hi$
letters. What superior culture might have done for a
mind naturally vigorous and easily susceptible of know*
ledge, we shall not now inquire. Burns's works claim
no charitable allowance on account of the obscurity of his
birth, or the smallness of his acquisitions; they are such as
few scholars could have produced, and such as learning
could not have materially improved : as a poet, he may
await the verdict of criticism, without the least necessity of
putting in the plea of poverty, or want of literature. In
all his works, he discovers his feelings, without betraying
bis situation. Had they been sent into the world without
a name, conjecture would have found no pretence to fix
them on a ploughman, or to suppose that they were pub-
lished merely to raise pity and relief.

By some it has been regretted, that the best perform*
ances of our poet are in a language now accounted bar-
barous, which is never used in serious writing, and which
is gradually falling into disuse, because every man gets rid
of it as soon as he can. It has been asked, why he should
write only for a part of the island, when he could command
the admiration of the whole? In answer, it has been
urged, that he wrote for the peasantry of hid country, in a
language which was to them familiar, and rich in express
sion. It was likewise for many years the only language he
Jtnew so well as to be able to express himself fluently in it;
bis early thoughts were conveyed in it, and it was endeared
to him by the pleasures of memory and association. Ho

BUR NS,; 413

wrote it when be had no very extensive ambition, and'
when he had no suspicion that it would obscure his senti*
ipents, or narrow his fame. Nor, it must be confessed,
h?ts he been disappointed in his expectations, if we sup*
pose that they were more enlarged. In England, Ireland,
and America, his poems have been rejad and studied with
pleasure and avidity, amidst all the interruptions of glos-
sarial reference. These remarks, however, do not apply
to. many of his graver poems which are written in English,
and in English which proves that he had cultivated that
language with attention and success ; although he did not
- conceive it to be adapted to such pieces as he intended,
perhaps exclusively, for the use of his humble neighbours,
and to give classic dignity to his pative scenery.

It has already been mentioned, that Burns had received
a religious education, such as is common to the lpwer
classes in Scotland ; and it may be observed, that many of
his sentiments run in a devotional strain, while he fre-

auentjly, but not always with( equal judgment, introduces
le language and imagery of the Holy Scriptures in his
writings. It is to be lamented, however, that the relir
gious impressions of bis youth were neither so strong .nop
so durable as to afford him consolation amidst the untoward
events of his life. He appears to have been much affected
by the bigotry of his neighbours, and has satirized it with
peculiar humour; but in this discharge of what he might
think was his duty, he overlooked the mean betwixt super-
stition and unbelief. In his latter days he. felt severely the
folly of thus removing from one extreme to another y and
probably lamented the loss of that happier frame of mijxd
in which he wrote the concluding verses of the, " Cotter's
S^ti^rday Night." Let us hope, however,; that his many
and frank acknowledgments of error finally ended in th$t
"repentance which .is not to be repented of." It is but
justice to-^dd, that he corrected certain improprieties in-
' troduced into his early poems ; and it was his intention to
have revised all his works, and make reparation to the in-
dividuals be had been supposed to irritate, or to the sub-
jects he had treated with unbecoming levity. " Wften we
reflect/9 says Mr, Mackenzie, "on his rank in life, the
habits to which he must have been subject, and the society
in which he must have mixed, we regret, perhaps, more
' than wonder, that delicacy should be so often offended in

414 BURNS.

perusing a volume in wbich there is so much to interest
and please us."

The character of Burns will still be incomplete, without
some notice of his abilities as a prose-writer ; for of these
we have ample proofs in his familiar correspondence. That
his letters were never intended for the public eye, that
many of them are mutilated, and that some, perhaps,
might have been suppressed, are deductions which do not
affect their merit as the effusions of a very uncommon
mind, enriched with knowledge far beyond what could
have been reasonably expected in his situation. He ap-
pears to have cultivated English prose with care, and cer-
tainly wrote it with a sprightly fluency. His turns of e*M
pression are various and surprizing, and, when treating
the most common topics, his sentiments are singular and
animated. His letters, however, would have attained a
higher 'portion of graceful expression, and would havg
been more generally pleasing* had they not been too fre-
quently the faithful transcripts of a disappointed mind/
gloomily bent on one set of indignant and querulous reflec-
tions. But with this, and another exception which might
be made to these letters, from a frequent imitation of the
discursive manner of Sterne, they must ever be- considered?
as decided proofs of genius. They contain many adtnira*
ble specimens of critical acumen, and many flights of *hn^
inour, and observations on life and manners, which fully
justify our belief that, had he cultivated his prose talent*
only, he might have risen to very high distinction in epis-
tolary or essay writing. Upon the whole, Burns was a
man who undoubtedly possessed great abilities with great
failings.. The former he received from nature, he prized
them highly, and he improved them; the tatter were
exaggerated by circumstances less within his controul, antf
by disappointments which, trusting to the most liberal en-
couragement ever offered to genius, he could not have
foreseen. They may yet serve to guard ambitious arid
afdent minds from similar irregularities and wanderings,
and to explain why such a man, after the first burst of po-
pular applause was past, lived and died more unhappily
than would probably have been the case had he never
known what it was to be caressed and admired. *

1 Abridged from a sketch of bis life, writteo by the editor of this Dictionary*
for an edition of bis works, 3 vols. 12ino»

BURROUGHES. 415

BURROUGHES (Jeremiah), a puritan divine, was
born in 1599, and educated at Cambridge, but was obliged
to quit that university for nonconformity. He sheltered
himself for some time under the hospitable roof of the earl
of Warwick, and afterwards retired to Holland, where he
was chosen minister of an English congregation at Rotter-
da^**. In 1642 he returned to England, and became
preacher of two of the largest and most numerous congre-
itions in London, Stepney and Cripplegate. It was not
lis object to spread sedition, but peace, for which he ear-
nestly laboured*. His "Irenicum" was one of the last
s«bjejats> upon which he preached. He was, a man of learn-
ing, candour, aod modesty, and of irreproachable life. A
considerable number of his writings are in print, many of
wj^jcb were published after his death, which happened Nti«-
member 14, 1646. When the assembly of divines reformed
the church by placing that of Scotland in lieu of that of
EjngUnd, Mr. Burrougbes was a dissenter from their de-
fgees, and lamented that after all the mischiefs of rebellion
and revolution, . men were not allowed to have liberty of
CKfrnseienoe any more .than before. These divisions are
said to have shortened his. days. Baxter used to say that
it all, presbyter iaro had been like Mr. Marshall, and all in*
dependents like Mr. Burrougbes, their differences might
easily have been compromised. Such men, however, in
those distracted times were the " rari nantes in gurgite
vasto," We have before us a list of twelve quartos, and
four octavos, mostly published from his MSSk after his
death, among which is an " Exposition on Hosea," 3 vols*
bj*t none/of them seem to have attained any great degree
#f .popularity J ••

. . BURROUGHS (Sin John),- knt. garter king at arms, is
sa*d to* bane been the son of a gardener or a brewer at
Sandwich, who appears, however, to have been a person of
eposiderabta opulence, as be married into the family of the
Iteones e£ Gtemtehill, and gave his son a very liberal edur
cation. He studied law in Gray's-inn, and in 1623, was
appointed keeper of the records in the Tower, and abQut
the same time became secretary to the Earl Marshal. In
the former reign .(Elizabeth) he had been created Mowbray
herald extraordinary, to enable him to become a king at
arms, upon a vacancy, and was knighted by king James I.

1 Near* Puritapi.— Grander, vol. II.

416 BURROUGHS.

July 17, 1624. He attended Charles I. when be went to
Scotland to be crowned. In 1633 be was made garter
king at arms. In 1636, he obtained a grant to entitle bin*
to the fees and perquisites of his office, because he bad
been abroad upon the business of the crown, which em*
bled him to take his share of the dues of bis office, the
same as if he had been personally present in the college*
In 1640, he attended the treaty held by the sovereign with
his subjects in Scotland, and upon the civil war breaking
out, withdrew from the college, to attend his duty upon
his royal master. Whilst in this service, a grace passed
in convocation at Oxford for the degree of LL*D. but
Wood says it does not appear by the register whether b»
was admitted, which, however, is highly probable. Hfc
died at Oxford, Oct. 21, 1643, and was buried in Christ
church cathedral. He wrote, 1. " Impetus juveniles, et
quredam sedations aliquantulum animi epistolte," Oxott.
1643, 8vo, in which his name is Latinized .mio Murrhus.
Most of the epistles are written to Philip Bacon, sir Francis
Bacon (lord Verulam), Thomas Farnabie, Thomaa £oppin*
sir Henry Spelman, &c. 2. " The Sovereignty trf the
British Seas, proved by records, &c." written in 1633,. but'
not published until 1651, 12 mo. Wood says he also mad$
" A Collection of Records in the Tower of JLanddfrV'
There are many MS pedigrees remaining of his. drawing,
up. In the Inner Temple library is .a commentary in MS.
from his pen, on the formulary for combats before the*
constable and marshal. His abilities and erudition wece.
universally acknowledged during his life. l * • -

BURROW (Sir James), born in 1701, was made mas-
ter of the crown-office in 1724, and was elected. F. R.&
1737, F. A. S. 1751. On the deatkof Mr. West in 1772, .
be was prevailed on to fill the president's chair at the royal:,
society till the anniversary election, when tye resigned- it;
to sir John Pringle; and Aug. 10, 1773, when the society ,
presented an address to his majesty, he received the b<>
nourof knighthood. He retained his mastership of th*.
crown -office till his death, Nov. 5, 1782, An elegant
whole-length portrait of sir James Burrow, was engraved*
after Devis, by Basire, in 1780. During the memorable
presidency of the great earl of Mansfield, air James seejn*

1 Ath. Ox..yo1. II. Farti— -Noble's College of Arm*

< /

BUtROW. 417

to bave beef! the first reporter of Uw c*se& . Fito aperies
of many years' attendance on the court of king's bench
officially) and from a constant habit and attention to aCcu-
ioaey in preserving notes of the business in that court, .and
being farther assisted by the records which passed through
his. hands in the course of his office, he - yas particularly
enabled to give a collection of the Cases from 26 George IL
to 12 George III. in which generally the arguments <of the
counsel As well as those of the court, are related in a very
fall and accurate manner, and in a method adapted to give
& regular view of the actual progress of the cause as, U 00-
corred in court, which of course led the report/er into a
i*ere diffuse aiid circumstantial detail of the argument*
thian has in general been thought necessary by other re*
potters* but which appears to have been considered by the
author as essential to an exact report of the case, as well as.
conducive to the improvement of the. student. These re*
ports have therefore been considered as a. work of the first
necessity in the library of a modern lawyer. They have
passed through four editions, the last of which was printed
vmk additional notes and references in 1790, 5 vols, royal
8w. He also published a separate collection of his " Re-*
ports of the Decisions of the Court of King's Bench, upon
Settlement cases, from the year 1732 to 1776," having
during the ^rhete of that period uniformly attended that
court, and made it a part of his employment to record the:
proceedings of it; and in this part of his labours he had
tfett satisfaction of being greatly instrumental in promoting
the knowledge of this niuch litigated branch of the Jaw,
and his work seems to have had the effect of lessening the
irtftrnber of appeals to the court of king's bench. These
decisions have been twice printed, first, in 4to, 1768, 1772,
and 1TT6, to -which were subjoined a few thoughts on
pointing (published separately in 1769 and 1772), and se-
condly in 1786, with marginal notes and references. It is:
said that he intended to have published his repprts of the
* cases decided in the court of king's bench, during the
time of the three chief justices immediately preceding lord.-.
M&nsfield, and that the manuscripts of such cases were in
the bands of Robert Burrow, esq. his nephew, lately de- *
ceased. Sir James also published, without his name, a
few " Anecdotes and observations relating to Oliver Crom-
well and his family, serving to rectify several errors con*
Vol. VU. * En

4l» BURRO W.

ccrnipg hiio, published by Nicol. Comnenu* Papedopoli,
iahis " Htstoria gymoasii ^atavini," 1763, 4-to.1

BURTON (Henry), was bom at Birsall in Yorkshire,
about 1579 ; and educated -at St. John's college in Gam-
bridge, where he took both his degrees in arts. He was
afterwards incorporated M. A. at Oxford, and took the do ::
gree of B. D. He first was tutor to the sons of lord Carey-
of Lepiogton (created in 1625 earl of Monmouth), and^
afterwards, probably by his lordship's interest* clerk of the
closet to prince Henry; and after his death to prince.
Charles, whom he was appointed to attend into Spain in
16*8; but, for reasons unknown, was set aside after part/*
of his goods were shipped, and upon that prince's accession*
to the crown was removed from being his clerk of the cIol <
set. Burton, highly disgusted at this treatment, took
every opportunity of expressing his resentment, particu-
larly by railing against the bishops, , -

In April 1636, he presented a letter to king Charles, /
remonstrating against Dr. Neile and Dr. Laud, his ma*-
jesty's continual attendants, as popisbly affected ; and for ♦
this was forbidden the court Soon after he was presented
to the rectory of St Matthew's, in Friday-street, London,
In Dec* 1696, be was summoned to appear before Dr«
Duck, one of the commissioners for causes ecclesiastical,"
who tendered to him the oaths ex officio, to answer to cer-
tain articles brought against him, for what he had advanced <
in two sermons preached iu his own church on th£ pre*
ceding 5th of November *. Burton, instead of answering, •
appealed to the king : but a special high-commission court,

* The text they were preached upon sect, which say, &c." is thus altered i

was Proverbs xxiv. 21, 29. In these " Root out that Babylonish and anti*

two sermons, and in bis apology, he christian sect of them which say.*'

charged the bishops with dangerous Next, " Cut off those worsen of mi- , '

plots to change the orthodox religion quity whose religion is rebellion, &c."

established in England, and to bring was, in the book printed in 1635, thus *

in Romish superstition in the room of altered : " Cut off those workers of

It; and blamed them for introducing iniquity, who turn religion into rebel- ,

several innovations Into divine worship. lion.,r— That the prayers for the navy'*

The Chief he mentioned were, that in are left out of the late book for toe .'

the epistle the Sunday before Easter, fast. — That the placing the comma*/

they had put out " In," and made it nion- table altarwise, at the upper end

f* At the name of Jesns;" which alter- of the chancel, was done to advance

nation was directly against the act of and usher in popery. That the second,

parliament. That two places were service, as dainties, was said there..^ H

changed Tn the prayers set forth for That bowing towards the altar/ wat\

the 5th of November; namely, "$oot worshiping the table, &c.
out that .Babylonish and antichriatian

* Nichols's Bowysr.— • Bridf man's Legal BiAiography,

b URTbfc.*

4t*A

which ifcs Called soon after at Doctors1 Oommbh^ Sutf- '
penderj him, in h?g absence, from both his office and bene-'1
fice ; on which he thought fit to abscond, but published his
f twd aehnomr under the title of " For God and thfe King ■;*
together with an apology justifying his appeal. February I ,'■
a itehjfeftiiit *t arms, with other officers, by virtue of a war-
itfttt* fr6m thi star-chamber, broke open his doors, seized
hfe» papers, and took him into custody. Nextdtty, he was,
bytoordet* of the privy-council, committed to the Fleet'
pfiftori ;' from which plate he dated one epistle to hi! ma-
jesty, another to the judges, and a third to die "true*
heatted nobility.'9 March 1 1, he was proceeded against
inf^the star-chamber, for writing and publishing seditious,'
schismatic*!, and libellous books, against the hierarchy of '
theohureh, and to the scandal of the government.- ! Tfr
this information he (and Bastwick and Prynne who' were
indicted with him) prepared answers *. In the end of
May 16^7, a person came to the Fleet to examine Burton*
upon his answer ; but hearing that the greatest part of
it had teen expunged, be refused to be examined, tin-
iest hi* answer might be admitted as it was put in, of he
permitted to put in a new answer.1 June 2, it Was efrd&ed
by the cotnt, that if he would not answr to interrogatories
framed upon bit answer, he would be proceeded against
pro confesso. Accordingly, June 14, Barton, and the two
others, being brought to the bar, the information was read ;
amino legal answer having been put in in Jitae, nor filed
our record, the court began for this coritempt to proceed
to sentence. The defendants; cried out for justice, that
their answers might be read, and that they might not be;

♦ Tbeir counsel refuted to sign their
answer, for fear of offending the star-
chamber. The defendants therefore
petitioned the court* that according to
ancient precedents, they might sign
their answers with their own hands;
declaring, they would abide by the
censure of the court, if they did not
make good what was contained therein.
But this was refused by the court.
Burton's answer was at length signed
by.Holt? a bencher of Gray's-inn ; who
afterwards withdrew bis hand, because
the other counsel, out of fear, would
not' subscribe it. However, Burton
tendered it to the court, desiring it
might be accepted, or Holt ordered to

new sign it. The court ordered, that ,
ft might be received und*er the band of
Holt atone, . whioh was accordingly
done. After it had lain in court near ■
three weeks, upon the attorney-g^ne- . .
raPs suggestion to the court, May 19,
that it was scandalous, it was referred
to the two chief justices, sir John.
Bramston and sir John Finch, ,to con-. ,
sider of, and to expunge what was con*.
tained therein, as unfit to be brought
into court, or otherwise impertinent
and scandalous. They expunged six*
ty-four whole sheets ; that is, the whole
answer, except, she lines at the begin-
ning, and v about twenty-four at the
letter end.

BE 2

4M BURTON,

Condemned unheard) but because their answers were not
filed on record, the court proceeded to; pass sentence:
which was, that Burton, Prynne, and Bastwicfe pay a&w
of 5000/. ea^h, and that Burton in particular .be deprived
of his ecclesiastical benefice, degraded from his ministerial
function and degrees in the university, be set on the piU
lory, have both his ears cut off there, confined to perpetual
close imprisonment in Lancaster-castle, debarred the access
of hts wife or any other except his keeper, mid denied the
use of pen, ink, and paper: all which, except- the fine
and the solitary part of the confinement, was executed ac-
cordingly, and the cutting off his ears with circumstances
of great cruelty, they being pared so close, that tfap
temporal artery was cut. During bis twelve weeks im-
prisonment in the common gaol at Lancaster, great crowds
pitying his misfortunes resorted to htm* and some of his
papers being dispersed in London, he was removed, by *Q
order of council, to Cornet-castle in the isle of Guernsey,
October 1637, where he was shut up almost three years;
till in November 1640, the house of commons, ijpon his
wife's petition, complaining of the severity of his sentence,
ordered that he should be brought to the parliament ki
safe custody. Burton, on his arrival at London, presented
a petition to the bouse of commons, setting. fo*tb hie suf-
ferings, and there was now a house of commons willing
enough to listen to more trifling complaint In -oonse-
quence of this, the bouse resolved that the sen*ea*e
against him was illegal) and ought to be reversed; that he
be freed from the fine of 5000/. and from, imprisonment,
and restored to bis degrees in the university, orders in- the
ministry, and to his ecclesiastical benefice in Friday-street,
London ; a,tso have recompense for his imprisonment, and
for the loss of his ears, which they fixed at six thousind
pounds ; but owing to the ensuing eoufus***is in tfafe king*
dom, he never received that sum. He was, however, re-
stored to his living of St, Matthew's, after which he de-
clared himself an Independent, and complied with art the
alterations that ensued ; but, according £q Wood, when
he saw to what extravagant lengths the parliament Wcnart,
He grew nfore moderate, dnd afterwards fell out with his
fellow-sufferers Prynne and Bastwick, and with Mr. ^Ed-
mund Calamy. He died Jan. 7, 1648. Besides the tracts
mentioned above, be wrote several others, which ate
thus enumerated. 1. " A. Censure of Simony/' Load.

B-U-RTONi 404

i6&4.<< 4? *f A Plea to an Appeal, traversed Dialogue-
wise," Loud, 1626. 3. tf The baking of the Pope's Bull,"
Load. 1627. 4. (( A Tryai of private Devotions, or a Dyal
for the Hours of Prayer," Lond. 1628. 6. " Israel's Fast?
«r, Meditations on the 7th Chapter of Joshua," Lond;
IMS. 6. " Seven Vials, or an Exposition' on the 1 5th and
I 6th Chapters of the Revelations," Lond. 1628. 7. « Ba-
Wl no Bethel; i e. The Church of Rome no true visible
Church of Christ, being an Answer to Hugh Cholmeley's
CfaaHeage, and Robert IJutterfield's Maschil." H. « Truth'*
Triumph ever Treat, or the great Gulph between Siofi
andBsfylon," Load* 1629. ^. f< The Law and the Gos-
ftel reconciled against the Antiaomians," Lond. 1631, 4to.
W>. H Christian'* .Bulwark, or -the Doctrine of Justifica*
tie**'2, Lond. 16$£, 4to. 11. a Expeptions against a pas*
sag* in Dr» Jaokson's Treatise* of the Divine Essence and
Attributes.^ 42. " The sounding of the two last Trum-
pets; or, Meditations on the 9th, 10th, and 11th Chapters
e£jhe Revebtims*" Lond. 1641, 4to. 13. '< The Protest *
feltion i protested^ or a short Remonstrance, shewing what
is> principally required of all those that have 'or do take the
feat Parliamentary Protestation," London, 1641, 4to,
14c " Relation ef Mr. GhillingWorth," 15. <i A Narration
tofc his^own Life/' Lond* 164>, 4tov 16. 'f A Vindication
off (Independent Churches, in answer to Mr. 0Rrynne*a two
hooks of Chw«ch-Gove»nment, and of Independency,"
Load. 1644, 4to. 19. '* Parliament's Power tor Laws in
Religion," 164$, 4te* < IS. " Vindici* Veritatis : Truth
vindicated agaiast Calumny : In a brictf Answer to Dr.
Bastwtck's • two la** books, entitled, Independency not
God's Ordinance," Lond. 1645, 4to. 19. "Truth shut
out of Doors ; or, A' brief Narrative of the Occasion aftd
Alaqndr of Proceeding of Aldermanbury Pariah, in abut*
ting their dHsreh*Door against him," Lond. 1645, 4to.
SO. tf Conformity's Deformity, in a Dialogue between
Conformity and Conscience/' Loud. 1646, 4to.
« However disproportioned Burtons punishment was to his
offence^ he appears to have been a man of a violent and
v4ndicth«e<t4mpe*j and &ii Enthusiast, who knowing how to
adapt his harangues to thfcecfmspondent enthusiasm of the
people, was tonsiderejl - as one of the most dangerous
agents of the party *hp werp undermining the constitution.
His works ^re jbqw little r$a#j ^Utough often inquired after,

- i

42a BURTON.

audit bas been justly observed, that punishment made bio*
an object of pity wbo never was an object of esteem. x - ■
*, BURTON (Hezekiah), a divine of distinguished abiliw
ties, was educated in Magdalen college, Cambridge, of
which he became a fellow, and where he was an ^eminent
tutor. He was firdained priest by bishop Sanderson ; andy
in 1667, was appointed chaplain to lord keeper Bridget
man, by whom he was presented, to a prebend of. Nompeb*
and to the rectory of St George's in Southwark. In ifittty
be was engaged, with Dr. StiUiagfieet and Dr. Tilktsen i
in the treaty proposed by sir Orlando Bridesman > < aard
countenanced by lord chief baron Haley for a comprehend
sicm with the Dissenters. About a yeas before his deaih*
Oct 19, 1680, Dr* Burton, by the interest of his friend
Tillotson with the Chapter -of. St. Paul's, obtained thexec*
tey of Barnes in flurry* at which place he died, of a ma-
lignant fever, in 1681. The only thing, of his thajr.ap*
peared during his life, was the short " Alloqnium ad Leo*
.torem," prefixed to Dr. Cumberland's treatise u De Le-
gibus Nature." After Dr. Burton's decease, dean Tiliot*
sot? published two volumes of bis discourses* which reflect
great credit on his memory, from the piety and just wntat
moots they abound with on the nature and end of religion*!
. - BURTON' (John), a learned divine, was* born in 16&6
at Wembwofth in Devonshire* of which parish hi* father
was reptor* The first part of his grammatical education
he received: atOi*eha«sptoo, and the remainder at Ely}
under the .r$?*<iSain. 'Bent-lam, his first cousin by the, mo*
filer's side. Suqh were the proofe which young Burton
afforded at school of his capacity, diligence, and worthjfr
dispositions, that the learned Dr. Ashtoft, master of Jes»js>
allege, Cambridge, designed U> have him admitted kitb
bis own colleger But in the mean time, Dr« Turner^ pve4.
sident of Corpus^ Christi college* Oxford* having madee*
peridental trial of Mr, Burton's literary improvement^ prat
cured him a scholarship in that college in 1713, when Jife
was 17 years of age. Here he made so distinguished *
progress, that Dr. Mather, the president, appointed him
to the important office of. tutor,: when he war only &*&
Soon after, ' the college conferred upon him- the honooriatf
reading die Greek lecture. -During the- whole oouoedf

. • . 'n full!

i Biog. Brit— Life by himietf. 164?, 4to.— Wood* AtUeu», roLL ,^..na
* Biog. Brit. to), in. p. 43.;JBirch'9 Life of flBolson^-Wood's A\h^Vtt

BURTON, 421

Mi studies, lie recommended himself both to the alfoetfo*
of his equals and the esteem of bis superiors. - Dr. Pottery
in particular, at that time bishop of Oxford, conceived a
great regard for him. March 24, 1720, Mr. Burton wag
admitted to the degree of M. A. In the exercise of hi*
duty as a tutor, no one could exceed him in attention,
diligence, and a zealous concern for the improvement of
faia pupils. As he was himself unacquainted with matbe*
i&atics, and ignorant of the Hebrew tongue, he took effec-
tual care that the young men under his tuition should b*
well instructed in these points. With regard to those of
his.pupilp who were upon charitable foundations, he waa
solicitous that the acquisition of knowledge should be ren-
dered as cheap to them as possible ; and was so disinte*
vested and beneficent in the whole of his conduct, thaty
after hairing discharged* the office of a tutor almost fifteen
years, be was scarcely possessed of 50l. when he quitted
the university. In revising, correcting, and improving
the exercises of the students, Mr. Burton displayed sor*
prising patience and indefatigable diligence ; and them
are stilt extant his ■ themes, declamations, orations, and
poems of every kind, which f he composed for the use erf
hi* own pupils, and even of others. His attention was
alio laudably and liberally directed to the restoration of
the credit of the university press, and to enable editors to
carry on their literary undertakings with diminished ex*
pence; With this view, he often prevailed upon Dr. Ma*
tber, Dr. Holmes, and other vice-chancellors, to order
new types; and, by the assistance of some noble friends;
he was so strenuous in behalf of the- learned Hutchinson^
the editor of Xenophon, that no. editors since that time
have had any delay or difficulty in obtaining, the exempt
tion from the duty on .paper, which has been granted by
parliament toJbooks printed at the Clarendon .press. It was
aim by. Mr* Burton's persuasions that Mr. (afterward* lord)
iloUe gave. 100/, to the university,. for the purpose of lend*
ing it to editors ; and that Dr. Hodges, provost of Oriel-
college, bequeathed tQOl. to the same use. In 1725^
#hen our learned tutor . was pro-proctor and master of the
fehools, he apoke, before the determining bachelors, a
Latin oratitta, entitled " ffeli," which was both written
and published with a design of enforcing the salutary ex*
ercise of 'Academical discipline. The same subject was still
more fully considered by him In four Latin sermons*

*& BURTON.

fftfeaetad bfafare the university ; which, likewise,, with apr
j»end»ces> were afterwards given to the public Indeed,
Abe labour, that Mr. Burton, during two, years, cheerfully
want through, as master of the schools, was immense.
July I9r 1720, Mr. Burton was admitted to the degree of
JB, D. j and in 17,32, when the settlement of the colony of
Georgia was in agitation, being solicitous to give his assist-
ance in promoting that undertaking, he preached a sermon
in its jroooa»rtie«daUon ; and hi* discourse was .siterwaudf
pvbhehed, with an appendix concerning the state of the
pplony. . He was likewise, through his. whole life, an as*
dent promoter of Or. Bray's admirable soheme of /parochial
libraries. ...^ . . , , *

. * Amomgjother youths who were committed to.the twtioti
pf 4Mr* &ftrto»,; there were several from Eton scheoly who
6MeUed in. genimiaad learning. Thia circumstance intra*
dmmJkjhMS to An epistolary <eetteepoedeo«e> andji jectai
prtoecourae, with the maaters of the school awl the p*o#
vmt and fellows, of the college; the consequence of whkh
wm+rtb&tkty formed sq good an opinion of hia;d*spoaU
tie* mA character, aa to elect him, in 1.733, sate a fellow*,
fthip *>f. their .society. About: the. same, tune, upon the
death of Dr. Edward Littleton, he. was, presented, to the
Wcaiage of _,M apiece rham in Oxfordshire.; .which ewy.be
oanwIececLas a graod aera in Mr. Burton's life. Upon
going toatafce tpomemon eefjbb new preferment, hefoved
the w.isai>w <nf <xhfe predecessor^ and three infant .daughter^
natfaputn bruett ajftd;»ithotita<fortiinei .A flight so affect
lag inapine*i iikn with comfMesien: compawioji was fcfc*
^wediibyjiloae,' and lover by marriage*. Mn Burton
iboredL:the same contempt for money, andiperbapajcam
wedtattottn excess, afitet be was settled in hisdiaihg. ilia
qtu&tonJbeiog remarkably pleasant, nothing gave him.*
greater delight thaw repairing, , enlarging; inncL ndoenhsp
^e<boAife^/«fflbdlisfcfinghU*gardei», planting ft cans, clears
hlg fieUa, r aqakingdnoads,, wdointBodMciog .audi mother. dm*
pkm4JD0Qts(as<;faf hehbofcd .ifttoukl i>e of advantage tefcsa

f This atoms somewhat differently call on him, and found Mrs. Littleton
told by'ftgentlemsm who corresponded shaving John Burton. Be told him
«)tfeft*le4itof»f tfc> Btofc. Bttt «Ar» Kht*;tlii^mg,wM**teC6*t, *ndmSg*6
tojUr.^ryja, ,*te,wajr ja *b»j* *»:. j^b**sat^ri*bte. ,#4ru*|>rrP<*t*<fr
became the husband of Mrs. Littleton marriage* and was accepted, from.
*4»%4r fen6wfr<at the time. Hfe found ] niy -memory of the lady, she was not1
ifc*jri4pn **4 far 4ftngtetfi:at the. . ytttmg j .* faded senteettitne mtwm
i*\rjK>P3ge-bou$et and desired tbem to , In sp/naof his (togek efitu ipoa headfe
tlm^* Tttfere! Some Htme after,' a* 4 h€fcf*r^^o^*, t * . A

aeighbonring clergyman happened to

BURTON. 496

antecessors *. • Worts of a similar kind were undertaken by
hint, when in .1766 he 'was instituted to, (the rectory ef
Worplesdon in Surry, In 1 748, the; death: of » hi* wife af-
fected him in the tenderest manner, as b. evident from the
stwesaL parte of his "Qpuscuiia iimtHCo*»p>rosaica;'' but
did not lessen his regard &r her fchree orphan daughters,
towards whom be continued *o exert the greatest olfaction
and. liberality. After this event, he spent the principal
pan of the year at Eton- college; where he gave bitpsefef
tmttveiy **p to the study of litetatore, jwid the assistance of
hiatf htends;: bat punctually attended any public meetings
on Ctetary ^ecclesiastic affairs, whether at Oxfovd, Lon*
dot), or Cambridge. July 1, 1752, he took the degree of
D. £>. jtniDafterwardf/'pMblitrhed his lecture? on that occa-
sion. He was intimately connected with many of the hi£
shop* ; *ahd whilst cacessed by the governors of the church,
wsnwqnailydea'i? to theJewest of the clergy. / Nothing weft
nn»f agreeable to htm, than i» see all avnmnd him easy,
cheerful, and Jiappy. ' To such of the yeuag scholars at
Eton as appeased so be of premising abditaies and disposit
tioas, he shewed a particular attention, (node (feemtht
eempnoaans of bis leisure hours, and afforded them «?ery
eorousagettoent which lay in his power, i
i .Wham Dr. Bnstan came to an> advanced' age, and' b\k
eyttst-begaw to* fail him, (he 'thought proper to -collect tog**
tbsr and publish bis scattered pieces, under the title Of
'AQptiBosnV'misQeHaneaj" Scarcely head be finished tjrfa
fcttik* when he was suddenly attacked hy on erysipetotos
fiantrj. u^cfexlisiurtMd.hi&inteUiects, and shattered his de*
ajsyiiigfrajnc. He seewmd however at internals to reooterV
and te; be desirous of resuming bis studies. The day feel
font bis death, on. Sunday ***ning; >be -oenfy as bad bfeci*
hss^nustmn,! fisr five 4r <*«e promising youths?' and aftef
awppe* disoomsed tao fthem, with more than usual petepi-
emty*iad elegance, ea eome 4m pormnt subject of divinity.
From this exertion, .ivhiob Jseisecmed to bear without kw
mniwsnienee, his phynibian and friends - conceived hopes,*

. * The taqaevny through the isavsh employed m collecting bints for re*

at Woodbridge, in the' road fropa the moving obstructions in the navigation

nMh pairt of Snrrey t* ©n*Mf#rd% of the rive? Thames. These hints he/

fftycfc <*M begun by his, advise an<} as- Jprmed into a patnphlet, entjtjed «* Tpa

wstance, and finished by his contribu- present etate of the navigation of thft,

tton -and that of his friends, *H1 be a river Thames considered, and certain,

lasfaf manorial .tf his .judgment and mguiaUons proposed,." i-7S6, 4to. A

industry iom »«wh occasions. Eaijt of second edition, with an Appen^iy, ffcs^

his telsurfcrhours at Maple-derham'was published in 1TS7.

4*6 BURTON.

though mistaken ones, of his recovery ; for after a most
serene sleep, he quietly departed this life the next mean*
ing, Feb. Ll, 1771, aged 76, and was buried at the en*
trance of the inner chapel at Eton.

Dr. Burton had some peculiarities of character, which
wit or envy were accustomed to magnify ; even his style*
which is rather precise1 and pedantic, has been considered
as peculiar, and called the Burtonian style ; but his acknow*
ledged virtues and talents were such as to eoUtle^iim to
the serious regard . of the majority of his contemporaries
Jlis works,* some of which we have already noticed, consist
of. two volumes of occasional " Sermons," 1764, and M&>$
8vo ; bis " Opuscula Miscellanea Theologica," and hie
€l Opuscula Miscellanea Metrico-prosaica." Of these a
•very elegant poem, entitled "Saeerdos Pauoecialis Ruati-
,cttSr" has. been recently (1800) translated by the ftev. Da«u»
son Warren, under the title. " The Parish Priest, a poeaa,''
p4to> One of the most useful of Dr. Burton's separate pub-
lications appeared in 1 744, entitled " The Genuineness of
Lord Clarendon's History of the Rebellion printed at Ox*
ford vindicated ;" in which he clearly and foUy refutes *be
slander that iiad been advanced by OkUmxcra, in his Cri-»
tical History of England. In 1758, appeared the dootor'e
,"Pissertatio et Note critics spectautes ad Tragoedas
qyaadam Graecas.editas in Pentalogia." . The publication
pi the five select tragedies which constitute the '.c Penta*
bgia," first begun, bat interrupted by the death. of Mr,
Joseph Bingham* ooe of his pupils, took place in 1758*
witfi a preface, dissertations, index, and additional notes*
ptyi has lately, been reprinted at the university press* In
1766, be published a discourse, entitled " Papist*, and
Pharisees compared; or, Papists the corrupters of Chris*
(utility;" occasioned by Philips'* Life of cardinal Pole.
About the same time, hfe delivered at Oxford a set e£<ros
iqons, still in manuscript, the design of which was to n**
fute the articles of the council of Trent .
. J>u Burton is understood to iuure been, the author, under
tie name of " Phileleutherus Londinensis," of " Remarks
on Dr. King's Speech before the Pniversity of Oxford, at
the Dedication of Dr. Radcliff'a .library, on the 13throf
April, 1749." This produced from Dr. King, " Elogium
famoe inserviena Jacci Etonensis, rive Gigantis; or, The
Praises of Jack of Eton, commonly called Jack the Giant :
Collected into English metre, after die manner of Thomas

9 B U Rf T O "ML 42T

Sternhold, Jbbn Hopkins, John Burton, and others. To
which is added, a dissertation on the Burtonian style. By
a Master of Arts." Dr. Burton's Life was written in Latin
by Dr. Edward Bentbaih, his relation and canon of Christ
ebureb^ under the title " De Vita et raoribus Jtfhannis Bur-
lorn*" 1771, addressed to Dr. Lowtb, theri bishop of Ox-
ford, afterwards of London? and was translated the same
year uv*be Gentleman's Magazine.1

BURTON (JoftK), M.D. and F.R. S. and F.S,A. an
enriiasenti antiquary, of whom our accounts are very scanty,
*as boro at Rippon in Yorkshire 1607> and educated in
Christ *h*jFch college in Oxford for some time, but' took
Mi degree in some foreign university ; and. on his settling
at YofeK, became very eminent in his profession. In 1745
ivis said that be proposed joining himself to* the pretender;
then at Manchester ; but that his friends had interest suffi-
citi* to dissuade him from a measure which must have ter*
Bloated m bis ruin. His conduct, therefore, appears to
hate- unjustly exposed him to censure, if his own account
may be relied on, to this purpose, thai u going out of
York, with leave of the mayor, &c. to* take care of his' es-
tates, on the approach of the rebels, he was taken by
them* and in consequence of that was apprehended Dec. 3,
1445* anti detained till /March 25, 1746-7." This is ex-
ptaiaed in *< British liberty endangered, demonstrated by
4fefe fcUowitij* narrative, wherein is proved from facts, that
J;B. has hitherto been a better friend to the English con-
stitution, in church and state, than his persecutors. Hum*
;Wy dedicated to the most reverend and worthy the arch*
bishop of Canterbury, late of York (Herring). With a
.pfpper preface, by Jdhn Burton, of York, M. D." London^
J 749. There was afterwards published "Art account of
what passed between* Mr. George Thomson of York, and
d&cto* Johta < Burton of that eity$ physician and man*
Midwife, at Mr. sheriff JubbVentertainntent, and the con-
sequences thereon* by Mr. George Thomson," London,
J7'59) avo, a narrative, in the lowest and most abusive lan-
g*rtge* says Mr. Gough, of a quarrel and assault, for the1
Actor's refusing to drink certain healths proposed to him,
drawn up ivkh all the virulence of disappointment for a
vfertftet against the writer, Long before these events, ho
published " A Treatise on the Non-naturals, in which the

lib** a^e .^j|io|^yirit.-.NicWt> Life tf Bwyer.

,.Tr'

42* 8. U R r O NL *

great influence they hawe on human bodies is set forth, and
mechanically accounted - for. To which i* subjoined, a
short Essay oft the Chin-Cough, with a new method of
treating that obstinate distemper," York, 173*, 3vO. iA
the title of this work, he icaUs himself " M. B* Cam. an4
M. D. Rhem." by which it would appear that his baehelb***
was a Lambeth degree, and that he graduated as doctor at
Rheims. In 1751, he published << An Essay towards *
complete ndw system of Midwifery," Sve, and in 1753,
f* A Letter to William Smellie, Bl D. containing critical
and practical remarks open hi* Treatise on the theory apd
practice of Midwifery," Sto. Bat the wO*k by which he fe
prinoipally knotam^ jand fos whiph he 'was employed 'in
making collections dnring hit latter years, was, his '<$itfna]4*
ticon Eboracense ) aad the Ecclesiastical' History df Yorkw
shire, J&c.n the first voiutoetbf which was published in 17«#,
Mid. This is in all respects <a most vahihbta woA ; ' and- it
is to be regretted that it was not ' completed- by a seeorid
volume, for which he had ample materials. Mr. Googh
seems to intimate that his conduct in 1744 rife* a*'cb0ek
both to encouragement and the means for pubttekhafg his
second volume. Previously to that period j his «ai ftfr
illustrating the antiquities of his native cotHitrj^ andhte
indefatigable researches, met with due enedo**gehNftfc
$om those who had many important materials- in their haWt*';
and be* was himself possessed of fm iiwato^ble and trtM- ■

paralleled collection for illustrating the history and anrf-
-quities of that coiwity, which before his death in 1791, fefe
soldfov a sum of money and an annuity for himself' and
wife co William Constable, esq. of Barton CbnstaMe, !fi
svbose, or his fepiifty's hands, they probably now rem&in.
Mr* Gough has given an ample list of them. l ■■ '■ : >

J BURTON (Robert>, author of the « Anatomy of Ste-
laneholy," the younger brother of William 'Bnftofr, the •
antiquary, the subject of the neit article but one, wa&toorh
at Lvndley, Feb. 6, 1579, and had his grammatical ed a catioh
«• *utt»n-Colneld ; after which, in 1 WS, 'he was admitted
a commoner of Braaen+nosp college, and eldcted a student
of Ohrist ehurch, in 1^599, under the ttritlon (though oriy
lbs form's sake) qf Br. John Bancroft, afterwards bishop 6f
Oxford. He took the degree of B. ft. in 16 14, atttfwas

.»/■*.. ; ,.-... •. » .•;« .** tf

1 Cough's Topograph jr, toU II<— £ee Two Paper* of Dn Bui-toa'sk* ArgitSK
Ologia, vol.JJ, . . .. |

BURTON. 4Q*

in that y#wP: admitted; to the fading of the sentences. In
1616* the, dee* and chapter ef Christ church presented
feint to the vicarage of St Thomas in Oxford, in which
parish he always gave the ssctamentfta wafers ; and George
le*d Berkeley bestowed upon bim the rectory of Segrate
it* Leicestershire. Beth these preferments he held till his
decease* whteh happened at Christ church, January &5*
.16&9r4& He was a carious calculator of nativities, anil
among others, of his own ; and the time of his death answer*
ing exactly to hi* own predictions, k was whispered in the
*y>Uege, that (to use Anthony Wood's language)* Bather
than there should be any mistake in the calculation, he
$eitt up bis soul to heaven through a slip about his neck; bat
fortius insinuation there appears little foundation. He, wee
a general- scholar and severe student, of a melancholy yet
humourous disposition, and appears to haxre been a man of
extensive learning, which his memory enabled him to.pne*
doce upon every subject In his moral character, he was a
man of great integrity, plain-dealing, and charity. He
was principally known as the author of a very celebrated
and popular work, entitled " The Anatomy of Melancholy*"
published first in quarto, and which afterwards went through.
Several editions in folio, so that the bookseller acquired an
•eatete by it. This book was compiled by our learned water
with a view of relieving his own melancholy ; but it en^
-created to such a degree, that nothing could divert Horn
but going to the bridge foot* and hearing the ribaldry of
the bargemen, which seldom tailed to throw him into a
violent fit of laughter. In the. intervals of his vapours,, he
was ode of the most facetious companions in the university.
The " Anatomy of Melancholy" is for the greater part a
cento, though a very ingenious one* The quotation*,
which abound in every page, are pertinent; but if the
.author bad made- freer use of his invention, and less of his
common-place book, bis work, perhaps, would have bees*
mpre valuable. However, he generally avoids the affected
language, and ridiculous metaphors, which were common
in that age. On Mr. Barton's monument in Christ church.
is his busty with his nativity, and this description by inm*
self, put up by his brother: " Paucia notes, paucieribaa
ignotus, hie j ace t Demooritus junior, cui vitamdeditetmor*
tem Melancholia. Obiit viii. Id. Jan. A. C. MDCXXXIX."
lie left behind him a choice collection of books, many of
which he bequeathed to the Bodleian library, and that of

430 BURTONS

Brazen -nose college. He left also* himdhred pdtiAd^ feft
.a fund to purchase five pounds' worth of books, every year,
for the Kbrary of Christ church. . • . i

" Burton upon Melancholy," says archbp. Herring (Let-*
ters, 1777, 12 mo), is an author, the pteasantest, the*8O0t»>
learned, and the most foil of sterling sense. The wtoeof «
queen Anne's reign, and the beginning of George L were, ;
he adds, not a little beholden to him:" but for nearly a-
century, the perusal of it was confined to those reader*:
who are called "The Curious ;" and within our memory i
it was usually rejected from the catalogues of eminent*
booksellers, as a work fitter for the stalls. Of late yeats,':
however, its reputation has revived m ao cuicottmcm det 3
gree, partly by incidental notices afrit by Dv/Johnsooji
Messrs. Stoeveas and Malone, and the ether aimotutjore of <.
Sbakspeare, and partly by the attention paid to it by Drv
Ferriar of Manchester* who, hi his "Ittustttftionsof Sternt^" »>
has ingeniously pointed out how much that writer owe* *o<;
Burton* Mr. T. Wartod, in his Histdtyr of Poetry, had ited
frequently, referred to the " Anatomy." •- Alt this riotooiyii
raised the price of the old editions, hat enc/tturagi^d'tbii
publication of a new one in i<8Qty which sold rapktty j yet>?
Burton is a writer so much above the common lively rartB
we suspect that, even now, he 'has acquired 'inoreJ^wo*T:
chasers than readers. * » •■ • . k -j ' »,'; , ? ->*' H K .* « ■

BURTON (Robert) was a nam* plaited iir the* titlew;
pages of a numerous setdf popular vehsmds pviated abbuf ;
the end. of the seventeenth and beginning of the eightteeetk
century, and sold byNatb. Crouch, 'a 'bookseller of that
period, who, is supposed to have Composed thdm. In 'the?
Bodleian Catalogue, Barton is called " alius Nat Grondh,'!
of whom Dunton says, u I think I have given you tbe^ifety*
soul of his character, when I have toULayou that 'his talent
lies at ' Collections.' He* has melted dowa-the besb/df v
oar English histories into Twelve-petiny-Bobks, > wblfiir '
are filled with wonders, rarities, and ci/RfoamES, for
you must know his title-pages are a little swatting^'— *Of
Lis brother Samuel Crouch, Dunton speak* mom 'favour*'*
ably: " He is just and punctual in all bis dealings— nevcfr
speaks ill of any man- — has a swinging soul of his owuV—
would part with all he has to serve a friend— and timifaj

} Nicbok't Hist of Leicestershire.— Biog. BriU— Ath. voL L— Wartoo»» H3f .
lory of Poetry, vol. I. 62, 432 ; III. 295, 4£5, 434, 47 1, 483. ' * .- *

BURTON. 431

enmgh far em bookseller P These Burton's books were
formerly confined to the perusal of the lowest classes of
readers, and were long called chapmen's books, and sold
only by the petty booksellers, and at fairs, &c. But of
late years they have become a favourite object with collec-
tors, and their price has risen accordingly ; and more com-
pletely to gratify the trifling taste of the age, some off them
have been reprinted in a pompous and expensive manner.
Being, therefore, from whatever cause, the subjects of mo-
dern attention, we shall subjoin a list of them, for which
we are indebted to Mr. Malone. I. " Historical Rarities
in London and Westminster," 1681. 2. " Wars in Eng-
land, Scotland, and Ireland," 1681. 3. " Wonderful pro-'
digies of Judgment and Mercy,'* 168!. 4. " Strange and
prodigious religious Customs and Manners of sundry Na-'
tioas," 168a 5; "English Empire in America," 1685.
6: " Surprising Miracles of Nature and Art," 1685, pro-'
bably the same with " Admirable Curiosities of Nature,"
1681. 7. « History pf Scotland," 1685. 8. " History of
Ireland," 1685* 9. " Two Joumies to Jerusalem," 1685.
10* " Nine Worthies of the World," 1687. 11. "Win-
ters Evening's Entertainments,'* 1687. 12. " The English'
fifcro, orthe Life of Sir Francis Drake," 1687. 1 3. " Me-
morable Accidents, and unheard-of Transactions," 1693.
1 4. " History of the House of Orange," 1693. 1 5. « Mar-
tyrs in flames," 169*. 16. "Curiosities of England," 1097.
17. * History of Oliver Cromwell/M 698. 18. «« Unpa-
ralleled Varieties," 1699. 18. " Unfortunate Court Fa-
vourites of England," 1706. 20. " History of the Lives
of English Divines," 1709. 21. « Ingenious Riddles."
22: f * Unhappy Princesses, or the history of Anne Boley n,
and Lady Jane Grey," 1710. 23J<* Esop's Fables in prose
and verse," 1T12. 24. " History of Virginia," 1722. 25.
a English acquisitions in Guinea and the East Indies,"1
1726- 26. "Female Excellency, or the Lfedies* Glory,-'*-
1*28. 27. " General History of Earthquakes," 1786.
28. " The English Heroine, or the Life and Adventures of
Mrs. Christian Davis, commonly called Mother Ross." 29.
" Youth's Divine Pastime.4' »

BURTON (William), author of the « History of Lei-
cestershire," and eldest son of Ralph Burton, esq. of Lind-

l<Go«gh'ft Topograph?, vol. l.-~BosweU'fl Lift «f Jotrasott.— DuntoH'i Life*
f. S8«, S87.

43$ BURTON.

ley in Leicestershire, was born Augest 24, l£75y edeeaMd
at the school of Nuneaton io Warwickshire, and while
there distinguished^ himself by no common taet^and skill in
Latin poetry. He was admitted of Brazen-nose college,
Oxford, 1591, and of the Iqner Temple May 20, 159S,
B. A. June 22, 1594, and was afterwards a barrister and
reporter in the court of common pleas. But " his natural
genius/' says Wood, " leading him to the studies ef he-
raldry,, (genealogies, and antiquities, he became exceHetit
in those obscure and intricate matter* ; and, look upon Mm
as a gentlemen* was accounted by all that knew him to be
the best of bis time for those studies, as may appear by 'Ms
description of Leicestershire, "' The author himrfelf says1, he
began his History of Leicestershire it) 1 507> not many years
after his coming into the Inner Temple* • In I6O0- be'fcer-
reeted Saxton's map of that couuty, with the arikUtiofrof
eighty town* His .weak teeastitutionnot permitting Jrita
to follow his business, he retired into the country^ and his
great work, the " Description of Leicestershire/' was pub-
lished in folio, 1622. He tells his patron, George Vilhers,
duke of Buckingham^ that ^bp <has undertaken 'tt> re-
mote aftx eolipse from the »uu without artw fesfvoaoinieal
dimension; to give light to the county of Leicester, wfcoae
beauty has long been shadowed-and obsciked /• and tivkU
p&e&ce declares himself one of those whohold that ^ gipria
totius rea est vaaissiina mundi*;^ and that be w^s unfit; aad
unfurnished for iso great. a business c M unfit/' to use his
own words, M far that myself was bouqdr<fpr;auotherisUidy,
which is jealous* abd wiU. admit t»a partner; for that all
Jtmeahd pacts of timc^ that couM possibly be employed
therein* were *©t sufficient {o be dispensed thereon* by
: reason>df the difficulty of getting, and multiplioityofi kinds
of learning therein. . let if apaatner might be assigned or
admitted thereto, . there m .no study or learning «*y fit br
fteoessary ior a fawyefy as the Jstady of antiquities J1 He
was .assisted in this undertaking by hia kinsmen John Bcau-
ipopt of Gjracediesr, esq. and Augustus Vincent, rouge-
croix; but the church notes were tak e»> by himself. i He
drew up the corollary of Lekmd'a life, prefixed to » the
" CoUectaaea/ with his favourite device, the sun recover-
ing from, an eclipse* and motto <f RUucera," dat^dlaledi
1612, from Falde, a pleasant village near Tutbury, Staf-
fordshire, and a great patrimony belonging tohiaMFaloHy,
and then to him. . The County History was dated from the

BURTON. *83

-sarne wllpgQ, Oct. 30, 1632. He also caused pari of Le-
Jaud'* Itinerary to be transcribed 1631, and gave both the
transcript and the seven original volumes to the Bodleian
library 1$38 ; as also Talbot's notes. To him his country-
.man Thomas Purefoy, esq. of Bar well, bequeathed Le-
toid's Collectanea after his death 1612. Wood charges
Jum with putting many needless additions and illustrations
into these Collectanea, from which charge Hearne defends
Mot* Wood adds, he made a useful index to them ; which,
Heajca& says, was only of some religious houses anji some
author?. In 1623 he resided at Lindley, where, among
other works, be compiled a folio volume (which still re-
jnaioa in MS,) under the title of " Antiquitates de Dadling*
,tP9, manerio .com. Leic. sive exemplificatio scriptorum,
C&ftarum veteruiti, inquisltionum, rotulorum curiarom, re-
.cordwtm, et evidentium probantium antiquitates dtcti
.fitfmerii de Dadlington, et hsereditatem de Burton in dicto
nranerio de Dadlington, quae nunc sunt penes me Will'mmn
Burton de Lindley com. Leic. moderuum dominum dicti
manerii de Dadlington. Lahore et studio mei WillSni
Burton de Lindley, apprenticii legom Angli®, et socii
JtUerioras Templi Londini ; nuper habitants apud Fatde
com* Stuff, nunc apud Lindley, 25 Aug. 1625, set* 50 "
He died at Fable, after suffering much in the civil war,
AprU 6, L645, And was buried in the parish church thereto
belonging, called Hanbury. Be left several notes, col*
lections of arms and monuments, genealogies, and other
matters. of antiquity, which he had gathered from divers
churches and gentlemen's bouses*. Derby collections are
mentioned in Gascoigna's notes, p» 53, probably by him-
self. In Osborne's* Catalogue, 1757, was " Vincent on
Brooke*" with MS notes by Wilfiain Burton, probably not
more than those on Cornwall, which Dr. Rawlinson bad.—
He was one of sir Robert Cotton's particular friends, arid
bad the honour to instruct sir William Dugdale. He was
acquainted with -fioainer ; and Michael Drayton, esq. was
liis near countryman and acquaintance, being descended
from the Dray tons of Drayton, or Fenny Drayton, near
Lindley. He married* 1607, Jane, daughter of Humphry
Adderley, of Wedingsoa, Warwickshire } by wJmhu he had
one son, Cassibelan, born 1609, heir of his virtues, as well
its his other fortunes, who, having a poetical turn, trans*
lated Martial into English,, which was published 163d. He
.consumed the best part of his- paternal estate,' and died
Vol. VH. F y

43* BURT O N,

Feb. 28. 16 3 J, having some years before gipen mofct, rf
not all, his father's collections to Mr. Walter Ghefcwytid> t*».
be used by him in writing the antiquities of Sikflfordfebirie.
Several printed copies of Burton's Leicestershire, with MS- .
notes by different persons, are existing in various collect
tions *. — " The reputation of Burton's book," as M& \
Gough justly observes, " arises from ks being written early*
and preceded only by Lamharde's Kent 1 576, Caret's Corn* ;
wall 1602, and Borden's Surveys; and it is in comparison .
only of these, and. not of Dugdaje's anore copious* work,
that we, are to understand the praises* so.. freely bestevMfed.
on it, and because nobody has treated the subject^more^i^
roptely and accurately; for Dugdale, says Burton^ fcs w«4I/<
as Lamharde and Carew, performed briefly/ The present *
volume, though a folio of above 300 pages, if the unntGes* >
sary digressions were struck out, and thepedigrees c&taedd *
into, less compass^ would shrink into a small work. TW >
typographical errors, especially in the tatio, am so iMim0~ '
xous, and the style, according to the manner of that tirife,
so loose, that the meaning is often doubtful* Tbt descrip-
tion is in alphabetical order, and consist*; chiefly of pedU
gvee* aud moot-cases^' The author sensible of its defeat,
greatly enlarged and .enriched it with, the addition of *Ra-
man, Saxon, and other antiquities, as appear* ffoai his letter i
to sir Robert Cotton, dated Liodjey, June 0r16£7>3ttH»CK*
tapt among Cotton's correspondences, in ,his libmgy,' Jul*
C. iii. This book, thus augwef\£ed* ¥*% with other MSS.
by the same author, Jn the posseyqfrm of W[r. Walter CbeU
wynjd^ of Ingestry, in Staffordshire, wham:. Garden im
Staffordshire calls "veneraadse antiquitetis oultor xnaxiJ
musj'v and afterwards came to, or was borrowed by, Air.
Charles King, tutor to Mr. Cbetwynd, in whose bands
Brakes by mentions >t, and says Mr* Chetovynd madt* Hbotf*-
siderable additions to it. He died in 4693. Lord Ghetwynd
lent it to sir Thomas Cave, in whose hands Mr. Ashby siufr
it in 1763 f. It 13 continued to 1642. Iti$not necessary to
say more of a work now so totally eclipsed, and rendered-
useless, by the more elaborate, accucatej and satisfactory
" History of Leicestershire' * lately published by Mr.
Nichols* to which we may refer for many curious parties-

• These are particularized in the History of Hinckley, p. 131. A new edatiab
of the Description of Leicestershire was absurdly printed in 1777, without Ule
least improvement. > *

f This copjr, now in the library of earl Talbot, waa teat to My. NjflhfifcpbfJt.
compiling his History of the county.

• t

* <■*

» .

BURTON. 4i$

Idrs of Button** life, and especially an account by himself
in the form of a diary. *

BURTON (William), another antiquafy of the seven-
teenth'century, son of William Burton of Atcham in Shrop-
shire, was born in Austin Friars, London, educated in St.
Pa toPs school! and became a student in Queen's college,
Oxford, in 1625. When at the university, he was patro-
nised by the learned Mr. Allen, of Glocester-hall, who ap-
pointed him Greek lecturer there. His indigence obliging
hut* to leave the university in 1630, after he had taken the
degree of bachelor of the civil law, he was for some time
ustfer to Mr. Thomas Farnaby, a famous schoolmaster in
Kenfc He was ' after wards master of the free grammar-
school at Kingston upon Thames, in which station he con-
tinued till within two years of his death, when he retired
*of London > where he died in 1657, and was buried in St.
CtementY Dane*, Strand. He published, 1. "Laudatio
funebris in obkum D. Thomsc Alleni," Oxon. 1635, 4to.
2.* u Annotations on the first Epistle of Clement the Apos-
tle to the Corinthians," Lond. 1647, and 1652, 4to. 3.
*' Gwae Lingua? Hlstoria," ibid. 1657, part of his lectures
in Gfa*»6e*ter*ba<ll, and printed with " Veneris Linguae Per-
siwttistoria," with a recommendatory epistle by Lang-
baine. F 4.* * 'A Commentary on Antoninus' s Itinerary, or
Journey of the Roman Empire, so far as it concerneth Bri-
tain,1' Loud. 165*, fol. He also translated from the Latin
of Alstedixla, a book in favour of the doctrine of the Mille-
nium, entitled " The beloved city, or the Saints* reign on
earth a thousand years, &c." Lond. 1643, 4to. The
u Commentary on Antoninus" procured him, from bishop
Keimetv, the character of the best topographer since Cam-
deriu*'

B&ftY, RICHARD OF. See AUNGERVILLE; and
add to the references, Arcbseologia, vol. X.

BU& {C**sar de), founder of the society of the priests,
or fatb***v fcf t he Christian doctrine, was born of a noble
family^ at Cavfcillon, Feb. 3, 1544. He at first cultivated
poetry, dwigave himself up to a life of pleasure, but af-
terwards reitifraed; lived in a most exemplary manner,
weal into ; holy orders, and travelled from place to place,

i-NttiWl** Leicestershire.— Atb. Ox. vol. II.— Biog. Brit,— Gent M»g. LXI.
and LXVTir.

« Wood's Athene, to). II.— Gough'i Topography, toI, I.— Knight's Life of
Dea»OoW* > 403. ■ - ••

FF 2

43C BUS.

confessing and catechising. His zeal bating procured him
many disciples, be formed them into a society, whose prin-
cipal duty was to teach what they called the' Christian
doctrine. He was appointed general of this society in 1598,
the institution having been first approved by pope Clement
VIII. in the preceding year. That which goes by tho
same name in Italy was founded by Mark Cusanu. a Mi-
lanese knight, and. was established by the approbation and
authority of Pius V. and Gregory XIII. . Carsarde Bus bad
also some concern in establishing the Ursulines of France.
He lost bis sight about fourteen years before his death,
which happened at Avignon, April 1 5, 1607. . He left only
a book or instructions, drawn up for his society, called
" Instructions familiere* sur les quatre parties de la. Doc-
trine Cbretiennc," 1666, 8vo. His life was written by
James Beauvais,. ito. ■ '

; BUS'BEQUIUSj or'BUSBEC (Augher GhislejO, was
the natural son of the
born at Commiiies, a. t
proofs he nav^ of extt
t(j spare neither, care.nc
structed, and ' to obtait
.Charles /y*. \H"4 wm,«
Louvain, Paris," Venici
; some time at London, i
of F«r$nand«.kijjg of t

_ aoibasaador at. Constant
"there. Being," scrif.ba

embassy prpveo, lohge
'". seven, yeaa, and ended

a perfect knowledge ol

and the triie means of i

subject he_ "composed
"r, "pe re militajri, coflti
. ^VHlio^t neglecting an

of his embassy, be hi
j of letters, collecting ir
,' aeafchirig after rare pla

of aoimals, and when 1

stantinople, he carried

ings of the plants and

1 Morari— Diet. Hist.— Mtmhsiui., " ,n-^,c?i^

BUSBEQU1US. 4Z7

wfeit. The Nation which he wrote of his two jotinties to
Turkey .is much commended "by Thuanus. He was desi-
rous of passing the latter part of 1m life in ptivacy, but
.the emperor Maximilian made choice of him to be gover-
nor to his sons ; and when his daughter princess Elizabeth
was married to Charles IX. of France, Busbec was nomi-
nated to conduct her to Paris. This queen gave him the
whole sup erint en dance of her houshold and her affairs, and,
when she quitted France, on her husband*s death, left him
there as her ambassador, in which station he was retained
by the emperor Rodolph until 1592, when, on a journey
tp the Low Countries, he Was attacked by a party of soldiers,
and sd harshly treated as to bring on a fever which proved
fetal in October %>f that year. Re was a man of great learn-
ing, and an able antiquary. The public is indebted t6
him for the " Monumentum Anciranum," which would bfe
one of the most curious and instructive inscriptions, of an-
tiquity, if it was entire, as tt contained a list of the actions
of Augustus. Passing through Ancyra, a city of Galatia,
Busbec caused all that remained legible of that inscription
to be copied from the marble of a ruined palace, and sent
It to Schottus the Jesuit It may 'be 'seen in Grcevius's
Suetonius. Cronovius published" this Mbnutnentuin An-
ciranum at Ley den in 1695, with notes, from a more full
and correct copy than that of Busbec. Busbec also wrote
«* Letters from F/anc^ to the emperor Ttodolph/' which
exhibit an interesting picture of the French court at thait

/period. An edition of ill his letters was published by.

. JSlzivir a]t Leyderi, J 635, and' kt London in 1660; 12m0.

\~ His "** ttinera Constantinopolitanum *et Arnasiabutn" was
printed at Antwerp, 1582, 4to; u Legationis Turcica tpis-
'tolae,:* Francfor^ 15ST5, Sy6, &C1

"' * 'BUSBY (Richard), the most eminent sch6olmasteir in

^ $is time, was the second son of Richard Busby, of the
1 <;ity of Westminster, gent but born at Lutton in Lincoln*

\ phire, September 22, 1606. He deceived hu education m

~ Westminster-school, as a king's scholar; and' in 1624 was
' elected student of Christ Church, tie took the degree ef

* bachelor of arts Oct 21, 1628 ; and that of master June

J 3, 1631 ; at which time he was esteemed a great master

*\ tof the Greek and Latin tongues, and a complete orator.

■if -.4 . rit- u

i Gea. Diet— Moreri.— Foppen B'tbl. Be1g.«r0lct Hitt—Freheri Tbeatrum.
«— Saxii Onomast,

438 BUSBY.

Towards the expence of taking his degrees, a sum was bo?
nourably voted "him by the vestry of St. Margaret, West-
minster (in all 111. 13$. 4^.) which \ie afterwards as ho-
nourably repaid, adding to it an annual sum towards the
maintenance of the parish school. On the 1st of J|ily
1639, he was admitted to the prebend and rectory of CudU
worth, with the chapel of Knowle annexed, in the church
of Wells; of which he lost the profits during the civil
wars ; but found means to keep his student's place, afid
other preferment. He was appointed master of Westmin-
ster-school, December 1-3, 1640; in which laborious sta-
tion he continued above fifty-five years, and bred up the
greatest number of learned scholars that ever adorned ant
age or nation*. But he met with great uneasiness frboi
the second master, "Edward Bagshaw, who endeavoured to
supplant him ;. but was himself removed out ?r his place
for his insolence, in, May 1658 (See Edward Bagshaw).
After the restoration, Mr. Busby 's merit" being noticed*
"his majesty conferred on him a prebend of Westminste^
Into which be was installed July ?9 1660; and th^ 1 Ith of
August following, he was made treasurer and canon-resi-
dentiary of Wefis. On October 19, 1660, he took the
.degree of D. D., At the coronation of king Charles1 ^1.
April 1661, be carried the Ampulla. In the convocation,
'which met June 34, the same year, he was proctor for the
chapter of Bath and Wells; and one of those who ap-
proved and subscribed the Common Pteyer-Bpok, He
fave two hundred' and fifty pounds towards repairing tfnd
eautifying Christ Church college and cathedral ; and in-
tended, but never completed the foundation of two lec-
tures in the same college, one for the Oriental languages,
and another for the mathematics ; but he left a stipend
for a catechetical lecture, to be read in one of the parish
churches in Oxford, by a member of Christ Church f. He

* It-wnt his bosst that, at one time, ' rity io Ihe second edittda of th« ?io£.

fixfeMMHitof thewhole bench of bishops . Britannioa by -editor* of congenial aap-

had been educated by him. timents, It appears, however, from.

? f Many reflections, equally tinge- the account of this affair given in An*

-, nerous and unjw* t, have been cast upon thorny Wood's Lifc^ that the inetitutifa

the universities in both which Dr. Bos- . was rejected solely on account of the

* by intended to have founded a cate- terms and conditions annexed to ' it,

• oherical lecture, for: refitting to accept which rendered it, at least, leu agiide-
. <of his donation, by which refusal the able to the universities, if .not Ji^po*-

church is said to have suffered, a cir- sible to be accepted by (he.ni, coin*
fnmstanee of wjiich the author of the sistently with their tutut«f.^~£. Wood's
Confessional was glad to avail himself, > Life, p. 314-^318, . ; ^

an*} who has been quoted as an autho*

B. U .S B Y,i 439

contributed also to the repair of Lich field chu rch. As foe
Bis many other benefactions, they are not, upon record,
because they were done in a private manner. This great
nian, after a. long, healthy, and laborious life, died April
6, 1695, aged eighty-nine, and was buried in Westminster
abb^y, where there is a curious monument erected to hinv
}He composed several books for the use of his school, as,
J. " A short institution of Grammar," Cambr. 1647, 8vo.
2, " Juvenalis et Persii Satine," Lond. 1656, purged of
all indecent passages. 3. " An English Introduction to the
Latin Tongue," Lopd, 1659, &c, 8vo. 4. " Martialis Epl-
^rammata ^electa," Lond. 1661, 12mo. 5, " GnecaeGram-
/n.aticaa Rudiihehta," Lond 1663, 8vo. 6. " Nomencla-
cura Brevis Keformata, adjecto cum Syllabo yerborum et
^cyectivorum," At the end is.priyted" Duplex Ceri.-
tenarius Proverbiorum Anklo-LatinQ-Qraecorum^ Loud*
1667, &c. 8vo* , 7. " Ajflfroyia foujifa : $fve,Gracoruux Epi-
grammatum Florilegium , nqviim," Lond. 1673, &,c. 8vp.
8, " Rudimentum Anglo-Latiqum, Grammatica literalis et
jnuperaHs," , Lond. I688a 8vq. 9. '/Rudimentum Gram-
iyjaticaB-Grapcor^atinoB Metricum," Lond. 1 6 ay, /8yo.. _ , 7
. , jAs^ to his character, we are told by tho£e wljo rfead the best
tppportpnities of knowing himw that b£ wasra^uiipted^itjb
alj[ parts of learning, especially Philology; and of bis skill
Ji^ grammaj, bis works are sufficient proof. . I^otwithstap.d-
yig hip, being the greatest. master of it, he \#as the freest
man in the world from, that pedantic hjuniour aqcj carrriagje
, which hath inade some of that^prpfesiiOA r^iculous4 tp the
more sensible , part of the. world.. ..Nabne evejtrajned^jp
z. . greater s number of eminent men, both , in, ^hu^ch ami
state, than himself; which was a plait)' d^monjstjcatxon q{
■lijis uncommon skill and. diligence in h}s prpfps^ipn. ' IJe
'extremely liked, apd even applauded, and tre warded, jujjt

anj\ of his , scholars, jhpugh^it l-efljected, upon himsejf ;

which many instances are still remembered. We are
. farther told,, that, there wa$ aq-agrecable mi«turQcaf seve-
rity and sweetness in his manners; so tbat;tf hte carriage
yx& g^ave^it was at the same time fu\l o£ gopd^na&re* as
his conversation was always modest and learned j-but in
"his school he was e^tremelyrs.evere,^ and his character in
* titja respect, probably exaggerated by tradition* i&hecoaie
almost proverbial. Several letters, however, from his scho-
i tajrs jiav?. been lately, discovered, by which it appear? i\&t .
he was much beloved by them. Hi's piety was unfeigned

440 BUSB Y.-

£nd without affectation, and his steadfast zfcal to tbe
church, and loyalty to the crown, were eminent, and not ,
tfkhout trials in the worst of times. But his greatest vu>
tee *as charity; in the discharge of which none ever took
niore care that his right hand should not know what hi*
left did. As to his constitution of body, he was heakhy to
such a degree, that his old age proved altogether free from
those diseases ?md infirmities which most commonly attend
other persons: and as this was the consequence and re-
Wfcrd: of his chastity, sobriety, and temperance, so he
spent this bodily strength altogether upon his indefatigable
labours, in the education of youth in Westnunster-schodl ;
which he never remitted till he was released of it by death,
to which he submitted with the utmost constancy and pa-
trence. Mr. Seward inforrtis us that he is said not to have
allowed notes to any classical author that was read at West-
minster. According to the late Dr. Johnson, Busby used
to declare that his rod was his sieve, and that whoever
could not pass through that was no boy for him. He early .
discovered the genius of Dr. South, lurking, perhaps, qn-
der idleness and obstinacy. ix I see," said he, " gre$t
talents in that sulky boy, and I shall endeavour to bring r
them out," which he is said to have effected by fneau**of»
very great severity. When the rev. Philip Henry, who
was one of his scholars, requested leave to attend the nonv
conformist morning lecture at Westminster abbey, -Bushy ^
granted his, or rather his mother's request, but did not
suffer him to abate any part of his school-tasks. Henry:
says he ngver punished him but once, and that for telling
* lie, and appointed him also to make a penitential copy, of i
Latin verses, which when he brought, he gave him sift-^
pence, and received him into favour. Henry farther in-n
forms us of the great pains Dr. Busby took with bis scfcp- *"
lars when they were to partake of the sacrament. When}?
afterwards Henry was ejected for non-conformity, bis p|4
riVaster said, u Prithee, child, who made thee a non-con- *
formi$t?,■, to which Henry answered, *< Tri|ly, sir, faq
made me one, for you taught me those thing* thatjjifv*
dfered me from conforming." — Many of Busby's witticism*
pre in circulation. His biographers give us the following :
Once, in a large company, be sat at table between Mrs*.
South and Mrs. Sherlock, when tbe conversation turn £$'
Upon wives. Dr. Busby said that he believed wives, in ge-i
neral, were good; " though^ to Ijesure, there might t% i

v%*

busby: 44i

bid ime litre; and a bad me there V Thfe late Mr. Dun*
combe informed the editors of the Biograpbia Brit, that
the face on Dr. Busby's monument is said to have been
copied from a carft taken after his death, as he would never
sit tor his picture ; if so, Whence came the portraits of him
. ift Christ Church, O*f0td H

v BUSCH (John Geoi&e), an eminent teacher and Writer
on Commerce, was born Jan. 3, 1728, in the district of
Limebourg, and was for thirty years director of the torn*
mteixial academy at Hamburgh, to which young men from
alt parteof Europe resorted for education in that branch.
This establishment was indeed the only one of its kind, ai
professor fiusch not only instructed bis pupils in the
theory, but afforded them opportunities of being intro*
daced to the practice of commerce, for which purpose bt
had cbrrrrefckrtis with thfe first houses in filamburgh, and
htinself acquired that experience which gives a peculiar
▼alufe to his writings ; these are all in the German lan-
guage: i. « The Theory of Commerce," Hamburgh) \W*>
SToisi<S*o. B.*< On Banks," ibid. 1801, Svo. 3. "Oil
tte Circulation of Money/* ibid. 1800, 3 vols. &vb.
4. H Various Essays bn Commerce,"' ibid. 2 Vols, 8vfc.
15. ** On Mathematical 'Studies as applicable to the business
ot &yft~iife?* Svo. 6. *' Encyclopedia of Mathematics
ibM. \795.v f: " Experience and observations," ibid. 17$4*
* tioh: l$v6s ftt 177* he/published,.. also in German, " A
circumstantial accofcrtit of the Commercial Academy of
Hamburgh," 12mb; and in 17$3/alofig with his partroet
Ebelifig, published th6 first number of HThe Merchant^
l£fa«ry," *Jght* numbers of which were to be published
anAuaHy, which peifcaps is the work; noticed above,. " Ex*
perietoe," cW.* .

*OBOHETTO &Vi)tftfC3i6, an architect of the ele*
*3fttfc fcentnryV **** ~* native of thV isle of Dulichio, and
btiitt Afe cAtb£<ftai 6f Pisa, WhVch «tHl passes for one of th* ,
fittest fit klttt^ty) M the gothic stjfe. Buschetto was fc?
great m|fchkifei * and could move the heaviest loads with
m-f^^iWH^kre^'tt is/ marked1 on. his tomb! ^Jthat tea
gtffe cmfld fifrty^iiis method* weighW which a,. thousand

|TMgr9i!itiMkAii. iteotfeb II^Nfc&oU't Life m^d Torres pdn(fencte; of Atterr
l>iry.— Life of Philip Heqry, e4/t, l^l^r-Sewnwi'fiAMCdofieS^Marftile^Dry*
tl^/W). 1. 15, and n. 13.— lnQuirifs ioto the fcmUr of. Cent, tyag. LXV,

442 BUSCHET T O.

yoke of o&*n could not move, and a ship could scarcfely
carry."

Quod vix mille bourn possent juga cuncta movere,

£t quod vix potuit per mare fcrre navis, ..:■•.-••■*

Buschetti nieu* quod erat mirabilc visu, ..«/;•*.*

Dena pUellaram turba levavit onus. *,.>

Though BuscheHo lived in the age of ignorance aitd by*
perbole, yet he partly deserved this praise. His disciples
were numerous, and. he is regarded as the principal foun*
der of the science of architecture in modem Italy ^

BUSGHING (Anthony Fredbric), an eminent geogra*
pher, Was born at Stadthagen in Germany in 1724* ■Aft&r
having been instructed in the learned .languages* mtfth^
xnatics, and astronomy, by M. Haubet, at Copenhagen^ *$
went, in 1744, to study divinity at Halle* Jn i>746,'bfe
published his first work, " An Introduction to the Spittle
of St. Paul to the Pbilippians," which was followed by kits
." Lectures" on Isaiah and on the New Testament. ,■ Hir-
ing been employed, in 1748, to superintend the education
of the son of count Lynar, hVaocompwied* that .nobleman
toPetcrsburghin 1749> and in the r ourse of this journey
planned his flew system of geography, for the completion
of which he went in 1752 to Copenhagen. Here btredtteil
a periodical work on the state ef the arts and sciences' hi
Denmark. In 1759, he accepted the office of extraor-
dinary professor of philosophy at'Oottingen, with j a salary
of 200 rix+doUars to enable ham to complete Jiis geogra*
pby. In consequence of the death of Mosheim, he wished
*o succeed to the theological chair of Goetiftgen,* but' he
had so openly avowed the; principles of • the new Gera&n
theological school, that he was not only denied the pro*
fessorship, but ordered afterwards to abstain from lecturing
on the subject, or publishing any thing not approved of by
the privy council of Hanover. This, however, did •****;
present his being appointed professor of philosophy' in
1759; and in 1761 he became pastor to a Lutheran 4*oiu-
gregation at Petersburg!*, where be established* a public
school, sanctioned by Catherine the empressi Hashed a.
dispute soon after with his congregation* and renewed to
Altooa. In 1766, he was appointed director of a school
at Berlin, where he passed the remainder of his lifeK He
died in 1793, and according, to his own desire, was barred
in his garden, where he had formerly buried his tyiia ' ' « {

t Diet Hist

BUS CHIN G. 443

, In, bis own delineation of his character, he acknow-^
ledges, tbat though he wad candid and open-hearted, af*
fable, ready to assist others, and of a compassionate dis-
position, he had behaved with hardiness .to many persons,
and on various occasions. He expresses his confidence in
the Supreme Being, his firm faith in the Saviour of the
world, and bis satisfaction with the dispensations of provi-
dence. His temper, he says, was warm, and occasionally
irritable ; and his firmness had sometimes assumed the ap-
pearance of obstinacy v an£' b*8 quickness bad betrayed
him. occasionally into precipitation. " I am moderate/9
says he, " in ail things ; contented with little, and master
of< my appetites. In my intercourse with the world I ex*
p^c t top, much from myself $ I am therefore often dissatis^
Jied -with my own> conduct ; and • on that account * wish . to
oottfitte my intct course within a very narrow ekctey andto
shua society. I am* free from pride, but not void of ani-
bition, though J often struggle with. this passion*,, and olt
^reflection endeavour to suppress it. I am> so much attache!
40. labour, that / it seems to roe a requisite to life, ondtthst
my impulse to k is greater than .to any sensual pleasure
whatever," Thiebault* in his/ " Original Anecdotes ctf
jRrederie' tbet Great," assures us that in nocauntry helmet
with* a man whose vanity was equal to that of Busching.
.'?. L have heard/1 says Tfaiebanlt, V of two or three, persons
in Europe, who said there were, in their time, 90 mose
than, three great men, Voltaire, Frederic, and themselves.
*To these persons M. fiusohing cannot be compared, for h?
never acknowledged any man to be so great as himself 4 in
short, his. excessive vanity rendered him. absolutely iotoleii-
aWe." -. ; i ; •*•;•...' ^

v JBuscbing compiled above 'an .hundred volumes, mostly
elementary treatises on geography > history, &c. .. His sys*
tern of ?" Geography," begun in 1754, formed six quarto
volumes, and was often reprinted. . An edition was pub*-
liahed in • English, 1762, also in 6 vols. 4to, but was aa
Unfortunate speculation for the bookseller. He published
jrisoi a f Magazine* of Modern History and Geography,'?
«rf< which we bay* see** seventeen 4to. vols:. from 1777 to
,1188* consisting of a collection of original, authentic,; < and
*topoc*adt papers* > most of them in German; but some in
jEfgoctv relating to Portugal, Spain, France, &c. This
is perhaps the most useful of his publications, and the

444 B U S 6 fi ! N G,

mmt unobjectionable as it is independent of srtyfe, ih which
fee was my deficient, * i > ' ^

- BUSEMBAUM (HiWMAar), of Nttttelen in Westphrf?*,
a&auity who died 166S, wrote a small " Medulla Tbeo-
leghe 'ftfcralis," 12wo, which La Ooix, one of hfe bre-
thren, ha* enlarged to two vols, folio; the lm editiori'is
If 57. The idea Of %1i0 pipe's authority, eMsn over t*te
persons of 4ring-9, is carried, in this ttotfk, to the height of
estravfeganee : mil secular * tribbnah) thfer^fo^, : united ft*
its ooodemn-ation: Tho paritametit of' Tcrtloufrfc k* f*7S7,
and that of Paris in 174V<Gfderedr it-*o bd bUftitt*' *• -•»

BUSH (Paul), first btehofrof Bristol *afc borft to U9*>
and became a student at thfc university of Oxford tfltoftt
1*13, and #vO yfcatfs aftefr look %h* riegtfeg oT Jfc. A.
toeing *eu, WfeoA*ays> ntttinWed aeaoug the fcrfefcratfcd
poets of thfe urtiversit j . We afterwards fcettafae a brother
of the ©rde* calted Bbftbotfatt, afcd - after studying soOie
thne iftnoftg the flrfo*s -of «£' Austin (fl o# Wadhttfci cefttege)
tfe #a« ^leoted )>i^Acial^f his order at'Edingfon in Witt-
**w^ tod canon re^ld^ftiary^tf^aWrtn, to that station hb
M^&ny^ tftbtft tertgth fciog- ttanry VIfIjbt^*rhw
&rmefc^ of fcis>grea« kri6wted<** ill dfrtofty and *t*^fte,
teadehich fife eb&prtate, and advanced feifo to thte'f&tiy
.•afttifed'tted of Bristol- to whfch hfe wrfs «oiis*ettifed *#nfe
«9> 1442/ tft ttamptotf. Ptes tety &forieOds4y l&tya>'he
Itas'tnadeAfohop of $rifttfi by Bdwa*d V*. paT#y wkh> a
4tesrg*i W dfoW hii^from tfc^ancient iltf igfon, ^nd^ArUy
fcteoiatise'fchey fcofcld tftt find atoOftg the refo*toOt-a a*y other
person of sufficient erikii tioir. >Wm< atttfroiy however* ak
4ows ti»a* he- defied the tfuef^th by taking* wife, i*om,
as an excuse, Pits' turns into a concubine: Ih eettse->
<j«enoe <rf<*his cortne^tioh he it^is, On the aceessl#h^ of
tjueeo Mary, deprived tff <hfc dignity; and spen^^'ifr,
fciahtfder Of his life ttv a £riva*e tftatiort' at 8ri«to>, ftkfe&tife
-died in 155S. He was buried on the *io*tfr s4de«c<ef*¥he
fctoot* of the cathedral, and a Triommvefr* Wa^trfterWtfNte
;ehe^te^to his memorf; his ttife was also *urtl«J Wf^ in
•}5^: JMts, and after bim a Gottgfenifct lo^rof '^bpWy,
the late Mr. Goie, says, that tte dismissed her of his own
*£eord ; bat that is improbable, as there eou+d b*e n<?°6e-
<*essfty for strcfe dismission till cffcfefeh MifryVaofrtttflbn,
*rhich happened in July i$$$) and the bishop's wife .died
in October following. - * -a*^

1 Diet Hist— Reea's Cyclopedia,— Thiebault's Anecdotes, rot It p* J3^T.—
Saxii OooBMSt vol* VIII, 9 Diet. Hist

BUSH. < 445

Uc.JJu^ wrote, 1. " An exhortation to Margaret Bur*
ges, w,fe to John Burges, clothier, of King$wood, ^i ti>e
county of Wilt%" London, printed: in the ueiga of Ed-
j^^pi YlV #>." Notes on thje Psalms," London, 132 5*
3r.". Treatise in praise of the .Cro^k"' -4. ** Answer to
jC^rfain queries scoaceroing ,the, abuses of the Mass/' ia
J)urne&'s History; of the Reformatio^, Reeojcds, No. 25.
5- "Dialogues between Christ. apd *he Virgin Mary.*'
,-£. " Treatise of. selves ai>4 curing* remedies," 3vo. printed
by Redman, no date. ,7. ," A. ljttle Treatise in English,
called the B^tirpatio^of Ignorancy, &a" in verse, printed
ty, Pipsou^ ^ithput datet 4to, and dedicated to the lady
Mary. 8. .* Carpiipa diyersa." l ,

/ ^USHKL (Thomas), a man once of consitejablerewi-
' «^RCj©. for his philosophical purapiu, was horn abput 14#4,
4rf ^ g9Pd family at CI eve Prior, in. Worcestershire, »and
.^as, educated at Oxford, aa Wood thinks, v» Bali^l col-
, Jegfl, IJe wa$ afterwards taken into the service of sir
Fr^ncjs {frcwf, who* wheo lord chancellor, ra^de him
^qjfcUb^areft mid in other respects patronized bin* Morally.
.JUe, afterwards travelled, directing bis attention chiefly f»
^Jrarakagy, qojn© civiou* exp^riraeata iu which be wide
.. At Kns^op ia Oxfordshire* where be. conducted a/ carious
(#^ erected a bauqoetting house, &c. which ia 163$,
, be ^dii bi ted tp, king Clw rles L and his queen, who gave
< orders -th^t thf place sboujd be called after b^, Henrietta.
H^rei likewise he eis^taii^ed thpKrqyal visitors with a kind

• gf ma#k, poetical addrfttwe* &o. which were afterwards
, puhji&hod under the tide of "The several Speeches, #ful

Swgs at the presentment of tbe- Rack at Enstafy to the
q#e$n's most excellent majesty," , Qxoii. -■ ) 6 S6, Mo. ■, Sopn
ioaft^r Mr. Bushel became farmer of his majesty's- mine* iii
^Wa^es* which he worked, w#b great skill and inctefotigaUe
-s lajb^n*; and jpfc*H&g obtoh*ed his qpajeety's grant to bpin
vj*tar, bft wpi^^lt^jat^r^ Oxford, whei* the pariia-
, 4§#*t jhad , got po^easion of tfee T<|wer . mint; Whei*. the
: ptfJiAflttiH army reached Wales, he was obliged to make
c , hi* ef cl^e wilh ftthf?^ awwl °£ knq wp< loy*!^ ^ubrey m-

* frrmft uatbat fthoftft&ft thtittCroww^H «£» wide protec-
.. ,$of> Mr, Bushel concealed, hiav^lf in a^hqwae, in Lambeth
#. jftiftb, wd he coo&f&ntly lay ioarkmg garret, ;>hwg with

** l AtV.Ox. rol. I. many additions to which ki this artiote will be found in Mr.
Bliss'i new eOition. — Tanner.-^Bale and Pits. — Stryp£*d Cranmer, p. 310, 320,
3©?.— Siry^e's Mvo^oiialf, vol. III. jju 172. — Ilitson's Bibliograp^ia,

446 BUSHEL.

black baize ; at one end was painted a skeleton, extended
on a mattress ; at the other, was a stfiaH pallet bed ; and the
walls were covered with various emblems of mortality.
Jiere he continued above a year, till his friends bad made
bis peace with the protector. After the restoration he ob-
tained an act of parliament for working certain mines in
Somersetshire, but what progress he made we are not told.
He died in 1674. Besides the pamphlet already noticed,
be published '* A just and true remonstrance of his Majes-
ty's Mines Royal in Wales,*' Lond. 1642, 4to; and an
" Extract, or Abstract of the lord chancellor Bacon's 4*bi- '
losophical Theory of Mineral Prosecutions,** Lond. 166ft.*

BUSLIDIUS, or BU8LE1DEN (John), a native at *
Arlon in Luxemburgh, in the sixteenth century, owed his
success in life to bis brother Francis, who died archbishop
of Besangon in 1 500. By his interest he became master of "
requests, a member of die sovereign council of Mechlin,
and held several ecclesiastical benefices. His genius and .
learning recommended him to the friendship and corre-
spondence of many of the learned men of his time, parti- ,
culariy Erasmus and sir Thomas More. He was (employed
in embassies to pope Julius II. Francis I. of France, and
Henry VI H. of England; and in 1517, he was sent into
Spain by Charles V. but falling sick at Bourdeaux, he died ;.
August 26 of that year. He left a considerable property
to found three professorships at Louvain for Latin, Greek,
and Hebrew,' which composed what was called the Colic-
gium TrUingue. Erasmus, sap this institution gave much
disgust to the illiterate members of the church there, who,
he adds, were vexed that three tongues should be in re-
quest; Several verses, speeches, and epistles written by
Buslidius, were found after his death, but the only pi6c& '
published is a letter prefixed to sir Thomas More's Utopia.*

BUS&IERES (John de), a French Jesuit, was btfrn i$ V
1607, either at Villa Franca in Beaujolais, or at Lyons^ %>
and beCanie a very frequent and admired writer, although [
little of his fame has reached modern times/ He-died m
161 Si * His French poetry is now forgot, but his Latin :*
poetry published at Lyons in 1675, flvo, still has some ad- ^
jnirera; and in his " Scanderbeg," an epic poem, and
his " Rhea,*' are some animated passages. He published
also &n abridgment of the History of France, and another,

1 Wtood's Atb. vol. II.— Lysons's Environs, vol. I.

* Gen. IMct,— Fopyen Bibliotheca Selgtca*— MorerL— Jartin's Erasmus.

U

B US SI E RE S. 447

in Latin, of the universal history, called " Floscoli Histo*
riaruui," which he afterwards translated into French, under
the title " Parterre historique," Lyons, 1672, 12mo; the
ridiculous dedication of which to the Virgin Mary may be
seen in Seward's Anecdote*. He wrote also " Memoires
de Ville Fran die en Beaujolais," 1671, 4to; and a his-
tory of Spain, still in manuscript. l .

BtJSSy. SeeRABUTIN.

BUTLER (Alban), author of the " Lives of the Saints,"
the second son of Simon Butler, esq., of Appletree, in the
county of Northampton, was born in 1710, and educated
for a short time at a school in Lancashire, whence in his
eighth year he was sent to the English college at Douay,
where he applied himself with uncommon diligence to .the
studies prescribed in that Roman catholic seminary, and
was admired for his early piety. After completing his
course, he was admitted , an alumnus, and appointed pro-
fessor of philosophy, in lecturing on which he followed the
Newtonian system, then gaining ground in the foreign
universities, in preference to the systems of Wolfe and
Leibnitz, in which he discovered some things inpeconcile*
able with the opinions of the church. He was next ap-
pointed professor of divinity, and while at this college
published his first work, " Letters on the History of the
ropes, published by Mr. Archibald Bower," which were
written with ease and good humour, and shew various and
extensive learning. In 1745 be accompanied the late earl
of Shrewsbury, and the honu James and Thomas Talbot, on
their travels through France and Italy. On his return from
these > travels, he was sent on the English mission, and
wished to be settled in London ; where he might have ac-
cess to literary society and the public libraries, with a view
to complete his " Lives of the Saints," on which he had
long been engaged ; but the vicar apostolic of the middle
district claimed him, as belonging, to that district, and ap-
pointed bim, much against his will, to a mission in Staf4
forxlshire, Here, however, he did not remain long* being
appointed chaplain {o Edward duke of Norfolk, a$d to
superintend the Education of Mr. Edward Howard, hi*,
nephew and presumptive heir, whom he accompanied
abroad, but woo died soon. During his being at Pasii, on
this" occasion, he completed and sent to. press his " Live*

1 $f0rerj«-~DiU. Hist .

« » *

44* B^TL E a

of the Saints, which is said to h&ve cost hknf tile labour of
thirty years. At the finishing of it he gave, what his
biographer vary truly calls, a very edifying instance of
humility. The. manuscript of the first volume haviog been
submitted to Mr. Challoner, the vicar-aposlalie of the
Lopdon district, he recommended the omission of all the
notes, that the work might be leas expensive and more
useful. It is easy to suppose what it must have cost our
author to consign to oblivion the fruit of $o much labour.
He obeyed, however, and to this circumstance it is owing,
that in the first edition the notes are omitted. Some years
after, be published the " Life of Mary of the Cross," a
nun in the English convent of the poor Clares at ltoueh,
not, strictly speaking, a piece of biography, but a vehicle for
instructions on religious life on Roman catholic principles.
Sometime after our author's return to England from bia
travels with Mr. Edward Howard, he was chosen president
of the English college at St. Omer's, in which station he cotv
tinued until bis death. He had projected many works
besides those already mentioned, and among them, bis
treatise on the " Moveable Feasts,91 which was published,
after his death, under the inspection of Mr* Challouer.
He proposed writing the lives of bishop Fisher and Sir
Thomas More, and had made copious collections for both,
some of which are in the hands of his biographer. He had
begun a treatise on " Natural and revealed religion,"
being dissatisfied with what Bergier had published on those
subjects. Three volumes of his " Discourses" have been
published since his decease. As a preacher, however, we
are told, that he almost wholly failed. His sermons were
sometimes interesting and pathetic ; but they were always
desultory, and almost always immeasurably long. His "Short
life of Sir Toby Matthews," has lately been published by
his biographer. His literary correspondence was very ex*
tensive, and among other correspondents of distinction,
may be mentioned the learned Lambertini, afterwards pope
Benedict XIV. and the late Dr. Lowth, bishop of London ;
and the assistance he afforded to English men of literature
has been liberally acknowledged by Dr. Kennicot, and
Others. After a life spent in devotion to his professioh,
sad in various studies, he died May 15, 1773, in the sixty-
third year of his age ; and was interred in the chapel of
the English college at St. Omers, where a monument of
white marble was erected to his memory, with W elegant

BUTLER. 444

i

/

"Latin inscription His " Lives gf the Saints/' although
riot free from the peculiarities of his predecessors in that
branch of biography, is a work of great value and research.
It *vas first published in 1745*, 5 vols. 4 to ; and in 1770, or
1J&% at* edition was published at Dublin, in 12 vols. 8vo;

-and in 1199 — 1800, at Edinburgh, in the same form, to
which. b$ nephew* Charles Butler, esq. barrister at law,
prefixed a life, from which the preceding sketch is taken. L
^BUTLER (Ch^rl^s), an ingenious, writer of the seven-
i^eui^h century, w^s born, in \5o9A at High Wycomb, in

.Buc£v>gbam s&re; ;and entered a student into Magdalen
halL Qyfotd, j# I 519, where, he took a degree in arts;

^9fL^£%J:ran§J3Jt£4 U> IVJagd^len college, and made one of r
tb^fh^bJ? jcl§rjfs« S^oon after, he became master of the
free school. a^Basiugstoke in Hampshire; and bad the
cure of a small church in the neighbourhood. About 1600

:fie%wa$ promoted to t}*e vicarage of Lawrence Wotton, ia
pajn^shire i which Wood thinks a very inadequate prefer-

. m$n,j: for a fphojar of bis abilities. There, however, he
^jppeajjs to-^ave rejnajned until his death, March 29, 1647,
in bi3cf?jgntj"eiskth yew*. He wrote : K " The Feminine
Monarchy \ . or * Treatise on %9s," Oxon. 1 609, $ va, and
JLonxjL 163?, Oxon. 1634, 4to ; ; a work not more curious
fpf }t^ matter, than for the manner of printing, abounding

j^nvngw characters, which appear to have been cast on!pur-
pose,, pud a very, singular mode of orthography- It waa
aft^rw^rds tr.anslat^d, into L^tin by Rich. Richardson, of
Epfjanuel college, C^jpbridge, Lond. .1673, 8vo. 2. "Rhe-
toric^ li.bri duo," Q^on. 1,618 ;# often reprinted. 3. " De

tpropijriquitate matrimonium ioipediente regula,generalis,"
on t^e marriage of cousin-g&rmans, a work much approved

, ^jfii^PjBideaux, Oxon. 1625, 4to. 4. "Oratoriae libriduo,"
Oxojfr 4633, 4to,.Lgn,d, 1635, 8vol .£. " English Grammar,"

orthography, from his " Treatise on Bees." Of his "Prio-
dp]^ or Mus;c,M Dr. Burriey says, that it was the only
t t)ieoceUcaV4of ^acjic work published on the subject of
^inuLsip, during th$ reign of. king Charles I. and that it con-
i}ai^| piore ;knQwle(ige in a small compass than any other

■° **4itek*'a6ove, 8np. 1800.— As the' Lives of tl»e Saints is become *<* very
^«c*ft^eawjfijcpei)sifte book, k may not be mtiweful tojjld, thai a very gwd
^^J^^iuA^^^brid^efflent^ wasj^u^lished at Newcastle in 1799, 2 vol*. 8vu.

61.Tir. «- Gd

)

450 B V T L E R.

of the kind In our language ; but the Saxon and new cha-
racters be uses, in order to explode such letters as are
redundant, or of uncertain powers, render this musical
tract somewhat difficult to peruse. '

BUTLER (James), duke of Ormond, an eminent states-
man, the son of Thomas Butler, esq. a branch of the Or-
mond family, was born at Newcastle house, in Clerkenwell,
1610. On the decease of Thomas, earl of Ormond, hi*
grandfather Sir Walter Butler, of Kilcash, "assumed the
title, and his father was styled by courtesy viscount Thurles,
After t^e death of his father, in 1619, who left a widow*
And seven children in embarrassed circumstances, this title
devolved upon him. In 1620 he was sent over to Englaud.
by his mother, aiid educated partly at a school at Fiucbley*
in Middlesex, but king James claiming the wardship of him, .
be was put under the tuition of archbishop Abbot, who in-
stilled in him that love for the protestant religion which be *
afterwards displayed on so many occasions. On the death
of king James he was taken home by his grandfather the
earl of Ormond; and in 1629 he married his cousin, lady
Elizabeth Preston, a match which terminated some dis~
putes that had long been agitated between the families.
In 1630 he purchased a troop of horse in Ireland, and two.,
ye^rs after succeeded, by the death of his grandfather, to,
the earldom of Ormond. During the earl of Strafford's .
viceroyalty in Ireland, his talents were much noticed by
that nobleman, who predicted his future fame. On the
commencement of the rebellion in Ireland in 1641, he was
appointed lieutenant-general and commander in chief of an
army of Only 3000 men, btit with this inconsiderable
force, and a few additional troops raised by himself, he
resisted the progress of the rebels, and in 1 642 dislodged •
them from the Naes near Dublin, raised the blQckade of
Drogheda, and routed them at Kilrush. His exertions^ t
however, being impeded by the jealousies of the lorda^
justices and of the lord lieutenant, the king, that he might -
act without controul, gave. him an independent commission
under the great seal, and created him marquis of Ormond*
In 1643 he obtained a considerable victory with a very in* -
ferior force over the rebels under the command of the
Irish general Preston, but for want of suitable encourage-
ment, he was under a necessity of concluding a cessation

1 Ath. Ox. toL 11.— Barney *»d Hawkins's Histories of Music. — Fuller1*
Worthier.

J

B (J T L E H. , 4*1

of hostilities, for which measure he was much blamed in
England ; chough he availed himself of it by sending over -
troops to the assistance of the king, who was then at war
with 'the parliament. His majesty, however, duly appre-
ciating his services, appointed him lord lieutenant of Ire*
land, In the room of the earl of Leicester, in the beginning
of the year 1644 ; but in the exercise of this office, he had
td contend both with the rebellious spirit of the old Irish^
and the machinations of the English parliament, and after
maintaining an unsuccessful struggle for three years, he
was, in 1 647, obliged to sign a treaty with the parliament's
commissioners, and to come over to England, where he
w&ited on the king at Harfpton-court, and obtained his
majesty's full approbation of all his proceedings ; but in
the hazardous state of public affairs he thought it most .
prudent to provide for his own safety by embarking for
Ffanfce.

During his short residence in this country,, he corre*
sponded with the Irish for the purpose of inducing them to
engage in the royal cause ; and having engaged lord In-
chiquin to receive him in Munster, he landed at Cork*
afte* escaping the imminent danger of shipwreck, in 1648,
add on his arrival, adopted measures which were not a little
assisted by the abhorrence which the king's death excited
through the country; and in consequence of this favourable
impression, the lord lieutenant caused Charles II. to be im-
mediately proclaimed. But Owen O'Neile, instigated by
the pope's nuncio, and supported by the old Irish, raised
obstacles in his way, which he determined to overcome by
&he bold enterprise of attacking the city of Dublin, then
held for .the Parliament by governor Jones. This enter-
prise, however, failed, with very considerable loss on the
part of the marquis ; and soon after Cromwell arrived in
Ireland, and having stormed Drogheda, surrendered it to
military execution, thus striking terror into the Irish, so
that they becoming dissatisfied with the lord lieutenant,
and insisting on his leaving the kingdom, he embarked for .
France, in 1650, and joined the exiled family. In order to
retrieve his affairs, the marchioness went over to Ire-
land, and having in some measure succeeded in exempting
her own estate from forfeiture, she remained in the coun-
try, and never saw her husband till after the restoration.
Iq the mean while the marquis was employed in various
commissions in behalf of the king; and he rendered essen-

G g 2

452 BUTLER.

tial service to his cause by rescuing the duke of Glou-
cester out of the hands of the ^ueen-mother, and prevent-
ing her severe treatment from inducing him to embrace the
Catholic religion. He was also instrumental in detaching
the Irish Catholic regiments from the service of France,
one of which be was appointed to command, and in ob-
taining the surrender of the town of St Ghilan, near
Brussels, to the Spaniards. In a secret embassy to Eng-
land for the purpose of inquiring into the actual state of
the royal party, he had some narrow escapes from the spies
of Cromwell ; and at length, when Charles II. was restored
to the throne of his ancestors, the Marquis accompanied
him, and not only recovered his large estates in the county
of Tipperary, but was raised to the dignity of duke of
Ormoad, and officiated as lord high 'Steward of England at
the king's coronation. In 1662, he was again appointed
lord lieutenant, and had considerable success in reducing
the country to a state of tranquillity; and be promoted
various very important and lasting improvements, partiou-
lariy with respect to the growth of flax and manufacture
of linen. His attachment to earl Clarendon, boweverv in-
volved him in the odium which pursued that great,ma»;
and notwithstanding the purity of his conduct, he was
deprived of his government by the machinations of the
duke of Buckingham, in 1669; bat in the same year he
was elected to the office -of chancellor of the university of
•Oxford. In J 670 a desperate design was formed against
him by colonel Blood, whom he had imprisoned in Ireland
on account of his having engaged in a plot for the surprisal
of Dublin castle. Blood, being at this time in Loudon,
determined to seize his person, in his return from an/en-
tertainment given1 in the city to the Prince of Orange j and
in the prosecution of his purpose, his accomplices dragged
the duke out of bis coach, and placed bkn behind one of
them who was on horseback, in order to convey him to
Tyburn, and execute him on the public gallows; or, as
others say, to take him out of the kingdom, and jco&tpel
him to sign certain papers relating to a /forfeited estate of
Blood* The duke by his struggles threw bath the auuraiid
himself from the horse, and by seasonable assistance be
was released from the custody of these assassins. This
daring act of violence excited the king's resentment; but
Blood, for certain reasons, having been taken into fcrour,
hi* Majesty requested the duie to forgive th^inajslfc- To

BUTLER. 459

which message he replied, " that if the king could forgive
Blood for attempting to steal bis crown, he might easily
forgire him for an attempt on his life ; and that ho would
*>bey his Majesty's pleasure without inquiring into his tfea-
son&" For seven years the duke was -neither in favour
with the court nor employed by it; but at length, in 1677,
he was surprised by a message announcing the king's in-
tention to visit him. The object of this visit waa to -dis-
close his Majesty's resolution of appointing him to the
lord lieutenancy of Ireland ; and this resolution had been
adopted by the influence of the duke of York, who had

.reason. to imagine, that the " cabal," or court party, pro-
posed to introduce the duke of Monmouth into this high,
atatiou in the room of the earl of Essex* who had been re*
m4ved» In order to counteract this plan, the dukebf York
recommended bis grace of Osmond to the king, as the most
likely person to engage general confidence, and to unite
discordant parties in both countries* On this the*tuk* con*
sented, and upon his arrival adopted vigorous measures for
disarming the papists "and maintaining public tranquillity;
and though he did not escape calumny, the king determin-
ed to support him against all attempts far removing bim,
and declared with an oath, "that white the duke of Or*
mond lived, he should never be put out of that govern*

• ment," He opposed the duke only in the measure of call-
iqg a parliament in Ireland for settling afiairsj .to which
the king would not give his consent In 1682, when he

. came over to England to acquaint the king with the state
of his government, he was advanced to the dignity of an
English dukedom ; but, notwithstanding this mark o£ royal
favour, be bad given such offence by his importunity with
vesjtect to an Irish parliament, that immediately on bis
return he waa apprised of an intention to remove him.
Upon the accession of James, the duke caused him to be

> proclaimed* and soon after resigned his office and came
over to England. Although the duke's principles did
*ot suit the projects of the new reign, he waa. treated
with respect by the king, and received from him the
honour of a visit whilst he* was confined to his cjaara-
ber with the gout He died at Kmgston^hall, in Dor*
Kitsbire, July £1, 16$&, in 'the seventy-eighth: year cfc
bis agej *>nd wad bmied in Westminster- abbey. >... A

He was, without doubt, one of the best as well as the
greatest: meu of his time ; had all the virtues requisite to

S*54 B U T L EH.

adorn a man of his rank, and very few foibles. In respect
to his personal accomplishments, he was exceeded by
. none, and equalled but by few : be had the look and air of
a man of quality; a very graceful and easy behaviour,
which at the same time was full of dignity, and created
respect in all that saw him. He spoke extremely well,
both in private 'conversation and upon public occasions,
and expressed himself with much facility and freedom.
He had a very comprehensive genius, so that there were
few subjects that he was not master of; and yet, with all
his parts and all his experience, he was extremely modest.
His political principles were entirely agreeable to the con*
stkution : he was loyal to his prince in all circumstances,
and without any regard to consequences. He understood the
interest *of the nation, and pursued it steadily. He thought
that the law was to be the guide of sovereigns as welt as
subjects, and therefore judged it his duty to asset* it upon
all occasions. He was descended from a very noble and
fortunate family, and was 'himself the most fortunate of that
family. He was extremely happy in domestic concerns,
living with the duchess in the most sincere friendship, as
well as the most tender affection ; regarding her death,
which happened about four years before bis own, as the
greatest misfortune of his life. He passed through a long
life and variety of fortunes with honour and reputatfbfi ;
was esteemed and beloved by the good1 men of all parties ;
and died universally regretted. *

BUTLER (Thomas), earl of Ossory, son of the former,
was born in the castle of Kilkenny, July 9, 16S4. He
distinguished himself by a noble bravery, united to the
greatest gentleness and modesty, which very early excited
the jealousy of Cromwell, who committed him to the
Tower ; where, felling ill of a fever, after being confined
near eight months, be was discharged. He afterwards
went over to Flanders, and on the restoration attended the
king to England ; and from being appointed colonel of foot
in Ireland, was raised to the rank of lieutenant-general of
the army in that kingdom. On the i 4th of September
1666-, he was summoned by writ to the English house of
lords, by the title trf lord Butler, of Moore-park. The
same year, being at Euston in Suffolk, be happened to
hear die firing of guns at sea, in the famous battte with

* B109, Briu— Cartel Life of the Duke of Ormood, l y©U. foL

i

BUTLER. 455

the Dutch that began the 1st of June. He instantly pre-
pared to gp on board the fleet, where he arrived on the
. 3d of that month ; and bad the satisfaction of informing
the duke of Albemarle, that prince Rupert was hastening
to join him. He had his share in the. glorious action* of
that and the succeeding day. His reputation was much
increased by his behaviour in the engagement off South -
wold Bay. In 1673 he was successively macte rear-admiral
of the blue and the red squadrons; and on the 4 Oth of
September, the same year, was appointed admiral of the
whole fleet, during the absence of prince Rupert. In
1677 he commanded the English troops in the service of
th$. prince of Orange ; and at the battle of Mons contri-
buted greatly to the retreat of marshal Luxemburg, to
whom Lewis XIV. was indebted for the greate^part of his
military, glory. His speech, addressed <W &e earl of
Shaftesbury, in vindication of his father was universally
admired: it even confounded that intrepid orator, who
was in the senate what the earl of Qssory was in the field.
He died July 30, 1680, aged forty-six. The duke of Or-
; jnoud ,his father said, " he would not exchange. his dead
, spx* for any living son in Christendom.-' * . . , t <>■
, . BUTLER (John), late bishop of Hereford,' was born at
^Hamburgh, probably of. English parents, Dec, 1717. In
his early days he acted as private tutor in the family of
Mr. Child the banker. .He was then a popular preacher
in London, and possessed of sound, ; parts, indefatigable
industry, a good figure, and agreeable planners. Being
, introduced .to Mr. Bilson Legge, be agisted that gentle-
man in the. political controversy withlprd Bale, and ren-
. d^red him farther services in calculations on public finance.
It was probably through, this connection that Dr. Hayter,
bishop of London, appointed Mr. Butler his first chaplain,
who. obtained also the living of Everley in Wiltshire,
about the same time. On the recommendation of lord Qn-
[ slow, he waa constituted onp of th$ king's chaplains, aad
obtained a prebend in Winchester cathedral. Comm^ocing
a political writer, be espoused the cause t>f lord North in
4 all the measures of ach^iujstratioo^ andL,pai ticulaxly in that
' pf the American wax, which, he.enflea^efured to justify in
^(jyeral pamphlets. . In reward of these services,, W was
\.Wft4p Archdeacon of Sqrrey, and procured aJLa^ipeth dp-

c.Vl

} Vi9§* Bfi£.— Cbwroeck'a Utofr&axntk*

tS$ — BUTLER.

gree of D. D. from the archbishop of Canterbury. Hit
next promotion was to the see of Oxford, . which was given
him by the minister (lord North) in 1777, on the ad-
vancement of Dr. Lowth to the bishoprick of London ;- and
the living of Cuddesden was held by Dr. Butler at the
same time, being annexed to the see of Oxford ; but this
preferment was rendered locally unpleasant from the cir-
cumstance of his not having been regularly graduated at
either of the universities. He, however, retained it till
1788, when he was advanced to the bishopric of Hereford,
over which he presided until his death at his palace at
Hereford, Dec. 10, 1802. He was twice married. His
first wife was the mistress of a boarding-school in West-
minster ; his second, the sister and one of the coheiresses
of sir Charles Vernon, of Farnbam in Surrey ; but he had
issue by neither. He underwent the operation of litho-
tomy at the agtfof sixty, which he long survived, although
in his latter days he was kept alive by great cans and atten-
tion. Although charitable arid even munificent in his life-
time, he left a very considerable fortune to bis executors
and friends. He was an eloquent; pleasing, and impress
sive preacher, always from short-hand notes, -and very dte>
tinct and audible in his delivery, although his v*ice was
weak.

Dr. Butler published some occasional sermons And
-charges, nearly -the whole of which be collected aird re-
published in 1601, under the title of " Stelect Sermons:
to which are added, Two Charges to the Clergy of the
Diocese," 8vo, and styles th^m " posthumous," nor did
he survive the publication above a year. He assigns as a
.motive for preparing this volume for the press, that "be-
ing permitted to survive his capacity of paying due atten-
tion to clerical duty as a preacher, he became weary at
last of being totally useless." Of his political tracts it may,
perhaps, be difficult t» procure a list, as they were pub-
lished without his name. Some of those in defence of lord
North's measures ate said to have appeared under the name
Vindtx. If Almon may be credited, his first publications,
while connected with the wfaigs, and in opposition to lord
Bute, were, 1. "An Answer to the €oeo»%Tree (a pamphlet
go called), from a Whig," 1762; 2. " A consultation rt»
the subject of a Standing Army, held at the King's Arms
tavern, on the 28th of February, 1763." 3. " Serio.u^
Considerations on the Measures of the present

BUTLER. 45»

tioa," 1. 1> the administration of lord Bute. 4. t€ Account
of the Character of the right hon. Henry Bilson Legge."
He must, however, have changed his sentiments when ha
afterwards supported the measures of lord North's admi-
nistration; yet we find his name among the list of persons
suspected to have written Juuius's Letters, for which tbere:
seems, in his case, very little foundation. !

BUTLER (Joseph), a prelate of the most distinguished
character and abilities, was born at Wantage in Berkshire,
la 1692. His father, Mr. Thomas Butler, who was a re-»
putable shopkeeper in that town, observing in his son
Joseph an excellent genius and inclination for learning,
determined to educate him for the ministry, among the
jrvotestant dissenters of the presbyterian denomination*
Ear this purpose, after he had gone through a proper
caorse of grammatical literature, at "the free grammar-
school of his native place, under the careaf the rev. Mr*
Philip Barton, a clergyman- of the church of England*
ha was sent to a dissenting academy, then kept at Glo*~
caster, but which was soon afterwards removed to Tewkes*
bury, the principal tutor of which was Mr. Jones, a mail of
uncommon abilities and knowledge. At Tewkesbury, Mr.
Butler made an extraordinary progress in the study of dw
vkrity ; of which he gave a remarkable proof in the letters
addressed by him, whilst he resided at Tewkesbury, to
Dr. Samuel Clarke, laying before him the doubts that
bad arisen in his mind concerning the conclusiveness of
some arguments in the doctor's " Demonstration of the
Being and Attributes of Gad/9 The first of these letter*
was dated November the 4th, 1713; and the sagacity and
depth of thought displayed in it immediately excited Dr.
Gtorhe'a particular notice. This condescension encou-
raged Mr. Butler 40 address the doctor again upon the
s/yna subject, which, likewise, was answered by him j and
the correspondence being carried on in three other letters,
tie whole was annexed to the celebrated treatise before
mentioned, and the collection has been retained in all the
subsequent editions of that work. The management of
this correspondence was entrusted by Mr. Butler to his
friend and fellow-pupil Mr. Seeker, who, in order to
conceal the affair, undertook to convey the letters to tha

t .:

1 Duncombe's Collections for the Antiquities of Hereford, vol. 1. 4to, 1804.—
dent Meg. LXXII. LXXIII. LXXV. LXXVL— Aimoo's Anecdotes, vol. L
svTO^WssMsJlfrrtmws, jot, h p. lift.

418 BUTLER.

post-office at Gloucester, and to bring back Dr. Claris
answers. When Mr. Butler's name was discovered to the
doctor, the candour, modesty, and good sense with wfiich
be had written, immediately procured him bis friendship*
Our young student was not, however, during his con-
tinuance at Tewkesbury, solely employed in metaphysical
speculations and inquiries. Another subject of his serious
consideration w$s, the propriety of his becoming a dis-
senting ministeif. Accordingly, he entered into an exa-
mination of the principles of non-conformity ; the result of
which was, sucb a dissatisfaction with them, as determined
him to conform to the established church. This intention
was at first yery disagreeable to his father, who endea-
voured to divert him from his purpose ; and with that? view
called in the assistance of some eminent presbyterian di-
vines; but finding his son's resolution to be fixed, heat
length suffered him to be removed to Oxford, where be
Was admitted a commoner of Oriel college, on the 17th of
March, 1714. At what time he took orders is uncertain,
but it must have been soon after his admission, at Oxford,
if it be true, as is asserted, that he sometimes assisted Mr.
Edward Talbot in the divine service, at his living of .Hen-
dred near Wantage. With this gentleman, who was , the
second son of Dr. William Talbot, successively bishopt.of
Oxford,. Salisbury, and Durham, Mr. Butler formed mi
intimate friendship at Oriel college, which laid the foun-
dation of all his subsequent preferments, and procured for
him a yery honourable situation when he was only iwenty'-
six years of age., In 1718, at the recommendation of Mr*
Talbgi and Dr. Clarke, he was appointed by sir Joseph
Jekyjt to be preacher at the Rolls. This was three years
before he hsfd taken any degree at the university, where
he did not go out bachelor of law till the 10th of Juijp,
17^1, which, however, was as soon as that degree cou^d
statutably be conferred upon bim. Mr. Butler continued
3$ the Rolls till 1726, in the beginning of which year he
published, in one volume 3vo, " Fifteen Sermons preached
at that Chapel." In the mean time, by the patronage of
Dr. Talbot, bishop of Durham, to whose notice he b^
been recommended (together with Mr. Benson and M^
Seeker) by Mr. Edward Talbot on his death-bed, our.$Ur
thor had been presented first to the rectory of HaugHtop,
near Darlington, in 1722, and afterwards to that of 8 tap-
hope in the same diocese, in 1725. At Haughio* (ijerfe

B U T L £ ft. 4*9

was a necessity for rebuilding a great part of the parsonage-
house, and Mr. Butler had neither money nor talents for
that work. Mr. Seeker, therefore, who had always the
interest of his friends at heart, and had acquired a very-
considerable influence with bishop Talbot, persuaded that
prelate to give Mr. Butler, in exchange for Haughion,
thfe rectory of Stanhope, which was not only free from anjr
such incumbrance, but was likewise of much superior
Value, being indeed one of the richest parsonages in Eng-
land. Whilst our author continued preacher at the Rolls
chapel, he divided his time between his duty in town and
country ; but when he quitted the Rolls, he resided, du-
ring seven years, wholly at Stanhope, in the conscientious
discharge of every obligation appertaining to a good parish
priest. This retirement, however, was too solitary for his
disposition, which had in it a natural cast of gloominess :
and though his recluse hours were by no means lost either
to private improvement or public utility, yet he felt at
times very painfully the want of that select society of
frifends to which he had been accustomed, and which could
inspire him with the greatest chearfuiness. Mr. Seeker,
therefore who knew this, was extremely anxious to draw
him out into a more active and conspicuous scene, and*
omitted no opportunity of expressing this desire to such as
he thought capable of promoting it. Having himself been
appointed king's chaplain in 1732, he took occasion, in a
conversation which he had the honour of holding with
qtieen Caroline, to mention to ber his friend Mr. Butler*
The queen said she thought he had been dead. Mr.
Seeker assured her he was not. Yet her majesty after-
wards asked archbishop Blackburqe if he was not dead ?
His answer was, " No, madam, but he is buried." Mr.
Seeker, continuing his purpose of endeavouring to bring
his friend out of his retirement, found means, upon Mc
Charles Talbot's being made lord chancellor, to have ,Mr*
"Butler recommended to him for his chaplain* His lord~
ship accepted and sent for him ; and this promotion calling
him to town, he took Oxford in his way, and was admitted
there to the degree of doctor of law, on the Sth/of De*
Member, 1753. The lord chancellor, who gave him also. a
prebend in the church of Rochester, had consented that
he sbould reside at his parish of Stanhope one half of the
yeah

Dr. Butler being thus brought back into the world, bis

1

460 BUTLER.

merit and talents soon introduced him to particular notice,
and paved the way for -his rising to those high dignities
which he afterwards enjoyed. In 1736, he was appointed
clerk of the closet to queen Caroline ; and, in the same
year, he presented to her majesty a copy of his celebrated
treatise, entitled " The Analogy of Religion, natural and
revealed, to the constitution and course of Nature/' His
attendance upon his royal mistress, by her especial com-
mand, was from seven to nine in the evening every day ;
and though this was interrupted by her death in 1737, yet
he had been so effectually recommended by her, as well
as by the late lord chancellor Talbot, to his majesty's fa-
vour, that, in the next year, he was raised to the highest
order of the church, by a nomination to the bishopric of
Bristol ; to which see he was consecrated on the 3d of
December, 1738. Krns George II. not being satisfied with
this proof of bis regard to Dr. Butler, promoted him, in
1740, to the deanry of St. Paul's London ; into which he
Was installed on the 24th of May in that year, and finding
the demands of this dignity to be incompatible with hi*
parish duty at Stanhope, he immediately resigned that
rich benefice. Besides our prelate's unremitted attention
to his peculiar obligations, be was called on to preach se~
Serai discourses on public occasions, which were afterwards
separately printed, and have since been annexed to the
later editions of the Sermons at the Rolls chapel. In 1746,
upon the death of Dr. Egerton, bishop of Hereford, Dr. But-
ler was made clerk of the closet to the king ; and in 1750, he
received another distinguished mark of his majesty's favour,
by being translated to the see of Durham on the 16th of Oc-
tober in thai year, upon the decease of Dr. Edward
Chandler. Our prelate, being thus appointed to preside
over a diocese with which he had long been connected,
delivered his first, and indeed his last charge to his clergy,
at his primary visitation in 1751. The principal subject
of it was, " External Religion.*' The bishop having ob-
served, with deep concern, the great and growing neglect
of serious piety in the kingdom, insisted strongly on -the
usefulness of outward forms and institutions, in fixing and
preserving a sense of devotion and duty in the minds of
men. In doing this, he was thought by several persons to
speak too favourably of pagan and popish ceremonies, and
to countenance, in a certain degree, the cause of super-
stition. Uncjer that apprehension, an able and spirited

BUTLER 461

writer, who was understood to be a clergyman of the
church of England, published in 1752, a pamphlet, en-
titled " A serious inquiry into the use and importance of
External Religion : occasioned by some passages in the
right reverend the lord bishop of Durham's Charge to the
Clergy of that diocese; humbly addressed to his lord-
ship." Many persons, however, and, we believe, the greater
part of the clergy of the diocese, did not think our prelate's
charge so exceptionable as it appeared to this author.
The charge, which was first printed at Durham, was after-
wards annexed to Dr. Butler's other works, by Dr. Halifax,
By his promotion to the see of Durham, our worthy bishop
was furnished with ample means of exerting the virtue of
charity, the exercise of which was his highest delight. But
.this gratification he did not long enjoy. He had been but
a, short time seated in his new bishopric, when his health
began visibly to decline j and having been complimented,
during his indisposition, upon account of his great resigna-
tion to the divine will, he is said to have expressed some
regret, that be should be taken from the present world so
soon after he bad been rendered capable of becoming
much more useful in it. In his last illness, he was carried
to Bristol, to try the waters of that place ; but, these prov-
ing ineffectual, he removed to Bath, where, being past
recovery, he died on the 16th of June, 1752. His corpse
was conveyed to Bristol, and interred in the cathedral
there, where a monument, with an inscription, is erected
to his memory. On the greatness of bishop Butler's in-
tellectual character we need not enlarge ; for his profound
knowledge, and the prodigious strength of his mind, are
amply displayed in his incomparable writings. His piety
was of the most serious and fervent, and perhaps somewhat
of the ascetic kind. His benevolence was warm, generous,
and diffusive. Whilst he was bishop of Bristol, he ex-
pended, in repairing and improving the episcopal palace,
four thousand pounds, which is said to have been more
than the whole revenues of the bishopric amounted to,
during his continuance in that see. Indeed he used to say
that the deanery of St, Paul's paid for it. Besides his
.private benefactions, he was a contributor to the Infirmary
at. Bristol, and a subscriber to three of the Hospitals at
. London. He was, likewise, a principal promoter, though
not the first founder,^ of the Infirmary at Newcastle, m
Noftbuuftberland. In supporting the hospitality and dig-

462 B U T L E ft. "

nity of the rich and powerful diocese of Durham, he wa* .
desirous of imitating the spirit of his patron, bishop Tal-
bot In this spirit, he set apart three days every week for
. the reception and entertainment of the principal gentry of
the country. Nor were even the clergy who had the '
poorest benefices neglected by him. He not only occa-.^
sionally invited them to dine with him, but condescended ..
to visit them at their respective parishes. By hrs will, he
left five hundred pounds to the society for propagating the .
gospel in foreign parts, and some legacies to bis friends,
and domestics. His executor was his chaplain, the rev.
♦ Dr. Nathaniel Forster, a divine of distinguished literature,
who was especially charged to destroy all his mantiscript "
sermons, letters, arid papers. Bishop Butler .was never
married. The bishop's disposition, which had in it a na-
v tural cast of gloominess, was supposed to give a tincture

to his devotion. Asa proof of this, and that he had even
acquired somewhat of a superstitious turn of mind, it was
alleged, that he had put a cross in his chapel at Bristol.
The cross was a plain piece of marble inlaid. This circum-
stance, together with the offence which some persons had :
taken at hia charge delivered at Durham, might possibly',
give rise to a calumny, that, almost fifteen years after bis f
death, was advanced concerning him, in an obscure and
anonymous pamphlet, entitled " The Root of Protestant
Errors examined." It was there said, that our prelate died
in the communion of the church of -Rome. Of this absurd
and groundless charge, we shall take no other notice, than
to transcribe what the worthy and learned Dr. Porteus has
written concerning it, in his Life of Archbishop Seeker.
" This strange slander, founded on the weakest pretences
and most trivial circumstances that can be imagined, no
one was better qualified to confute than the archbishop;
as well from his long and intimate knowledge of bishop .
Butler, as from the information given him at the time by
those who attended bis lordship in his last illness, and
were with him when he died. Accordingly, by an article
in a newspaper, signed Misopscudes, his grace challenged
the author of that pamphlet to produce his authority for
what he had advanced ; and in a second article defended
the bishop against him ; and in a third (all with the same
signature) confuted another writer, who, under the name
of ' A real Protestant,9 still maintained that ridiculous
calumy. His antagonists were effectually subdued, ao4

\

\

BUTLER. 46*

his superiority to tbeoi was publicly acknowledged by a
sensible and candid man,, who signed himself) and who
really was ' A dissenting Minister.1 Surely, it is a very
unwise piece of policy, in those wbov protess themselves
enemies to popery, to take so much pains to bring the
most respectable names within its pale ; and to give it the
merit of having gained over those who were the brightest
ornaments and firmest supports of the protestant cause."

His deep learning and comprehensive miud appear suf-
ficiently in his writings, particularly in his work entitled
" The Analogy of Religion," in praise of which too much
cannot be said. The purity of the intention, the force of .
reasoning, and the copiousness of illustration, render it
one of the greatest performances that the combination of
virtue with intelligence ever gav$ rise to. It is, however,
occasionally obscure from the nature of the subject, *«
well as from the extreme pains its ingenious author took
to prevent its being so; the, endeavouring (as he used to .
tell a friend of his) to answer, as he went along, every pos-
sible objection that might occur to any one against any
position of bis in this book ; so that, perhaps, ". inopem
ilium copia fecit.*' The world have great obligations to
the bishop of St. Asaph (Dr. Halifax \ for an analysis of it,
which must be of great use to young persons, and. to men
not much inured to abstruse reasoning. It has, appended
to it, a very elegantly written account of bis life, in which
he very ably defends him against the charge of popery
above mentioned. In the volumes, of sermons published
by Butler himself, there are three that have a particular
relation to his larger work. T^ese are analysed by Dr. .
Halifax in his account of his life and writings, 1786. * .

BUTLER (Samuel), a poet of a very singular cast, was
born at Strenshara in Worcestershire, and baptized Feb.
8, 1612. His father's condition is variously represented.
Wood mentions him as competently wealthy; but the
author of the short account of Butler, prefixed to Hudibras,
who, Dr. Johnson erroneously says, was Mr. Longueville,
asserts he was an honest farmer with some small estate, '.
who made a shift to educate his son at the grammar-school
of Worcester, under Mr. Henry Bright, from whose care
he removed for a .short time to Cambridge; but,, for want
of money, was never made a member of any college. Wood

* Biog, Br it.— Forties's Life of Beattie.— Tytter's Iafe of Karnes.

4**

BUTLER.

leaves us rather doubtful whether he went to Cambridge or
Oxford ; but at last makes him pass six or seven year* at
Cambridge, without knowing in what hall oi* college : yet
it can hardly be imagined that he lived so long in either
university, but as belonging to one house or another; apd
it is still less likely that he could have so long inhabited a
place of learning with so little distinction as to leave his
residence uncertain. Dr. Nash has discovered that hb
father was owner of a house and a little land, worth about
eight pounds a year, still called Butler's tenement. Wood
had his information from his brother, whose narrative placed
him at Cambridge, in opposition to that of his neighbours,
which sent him to Oxford. The brother's seems the best
authority, till, by confessing his inability to tell bis hall
or college, he gives reason to suspect that he was resolved
to bestow on him an academical education, but durst not
name a college, for fear of detection. Having, however,,
discovered an early inclination for learning, his father
placed him at the free-school of Worcester; whence he
'was sent, according to the above report,, for some time to
Cambridge. He afterwards returned to his native country,
and became clerk to one Mr. Jefferys of EarPs Croomb, an
eminent justice of the peace for that county, with whom
he lived some years in an easy and reputable station. Here
he fyund sufficient leisure to apply himself to whatsoever
learning his inclinations led him ; which was chiefly his-
tory and poetry; adding to these, for his diversion, music
and painting*. He was afterwards recommended to that
great encourager of learning, Elizabeth countess of Kent ;
in whose house he had not only the opportunity of consult-
ing all kinds of books, but of conversing with Mr. Selden,
who often employed him to write letters beyond sea, and
translate for him. He lived some time also with sir Samuel
Luke, a gentleman of an ancient family in Bedfordshire,
and a famous commander under Oliver Cromwell. Whilst
he resided in this gentleman's family, it is generally sup-
posed that he planned, if he did not write, the celebrated
Hudibras ; under which character it is thought he intended

* The anonymous author of his life
tells us, he bad seen some pictures,
■aid to be of Butler's drawing, in Mr.
JefferyV»s family in 17 lo: His early
inclination to that noble art procured
him afterwards the friendship of Mr.
Samuel Cooper, one of the most emi-

nent paintatt of that time. Life, p. &
Some pictures, said to he his, wiftsa>
sbewn to Dr. Nash, at Earl's Croomb $
but when he inquired for them' some
years afterwards, he found them de-
stroyed, to stop windows, apd owns
that they hardly deserved a better Eat*.

B UJF LEK ^ 465

to ridicule that knight After the restoration of Charles II.
he was made secretary to Richard earl of Carbury, lord
president of the principality pf Wales, who appointed him
steward of Ludlow-castle, wheti thecpurt was revived there*
In this part of his life, he married Mrs. Herbert, a gentle*
* woman of a good family ; and livedo says Wood, upon her
fortune, having studied the common law, but never prac*
tised it. A fortune she had, says his biographer, but it
was lost by bad securities. In 1663 was published the first
part, containing three canfcos, of the poem of " Hudibrsts,"
which, as Prior relates, was made known at court by the
taste and influence of die earl of Dorset, and when known,
it was necessarily admired : ' the king quoted, the courtiers
studied, and the whole party of the royalists applauded it*
"Every eye watched for the golden shower. which was to fall
upon the author, who certainly was not without his. share
in the general expectation. In 1664 the second part ap-
peared ; the curiosity of the nation was rekindled, and the
writer was again praised .and elated. But praise was his .
whole reward. Clarendon, says Wood, gave him reason
to hope for "places and employments of value and credit;"
but no such advantages did he ever obtain. It is reported,
that the king once gave him 300 guineas ; but of this tern*
porary bounty we find no proof. Wood relates that he was
secretary to Villiers duke of Buckingham, when he was
chancellor of Cambridge: this is doubted by the other
writer, who yet allows the duke to have been his frequent
benefactor. That both these accounts are false there is
reason to suspect, from a story, told by. Pack, in his account
of the life of Wycherley, and from some verses which Mr.
Thyfer has published in the author's Remains. " Mr. Wy-
cherley," says Pack, " had always laid hold of any oppor-
tunity which offered of representing to the duke of Buck-
ingham how well Mr. Butler had deserved of the royal
family, by writing his inimitable Hudibras ; and that it
was a reproach to the court, that a person of his loyalty
and wit should suffer in obscurity, and under the wants Ik*
did. The duke always seemed to hearken to him with
attention enough ; and, after some time, undertook to re-
commend his pretension* to his majesty, Mr. Wycherley,
in hopes to keep him steady to his word, obtained of his
grace to name a day, when he might introduce that mo-
dest rind unfortunate poet to his new patron. At last an
appointment was made, and the place of meeting was
Vol. VII. Hh

466 BUTLER.

agreed to be the Roebuck. Mr. Butter and his friend at-
tended accordingly : the duke joined them ; but, as the
devil would have it, the door of the room where they sat.
Was open, aufd his grace, who had seated himself near it,
observing a pimp of his acquaintance (the creature too was
a knight) trip by with a brace of ladies, immediately quit*
ted bis engagement, to follow another kind of business, at
which he was more ready than in doing good offices to
men of desert; though no one was better qualified than
he, both in regard to his fortune and understanding^ to
protect them ; and, from that time to the day of his death.
poor Butler never found the least effect of his promise*!;
Such is the story. The verses are written with a degree^
of acrimony, such as neglect and disappointment might
naturally excite ; and such as it would bf hard to imagine
fintler capable of expressing against a man who had any
claim to his gratitude. Notwithstanding this discourage-
ment and neglect, he still prosecuted his design ; aud in
1678 published the third part, which still leaves the poem*
imperfect and abrupt* How much more he originally in-
tended, or with what events the action was to be concluded,
it is vain to conjecture. Nor can it be thought strange
that be should stop here, however unexpectedly* To write
without reward is sufficiently unpleasing. He had now arT
rived at an age when he might think it proper to be in*
jest no longer, and perhaps bis health might now begin to
fail, tie died Sept. 25, 1630; and Mr. Longueville, hav-
ing unsuccessfully solicited a subscription for his inter-
stent in Westminster abbey, buried him < at his own cost

* He had promises of a good place that time high treasurer. When Mr.
from lord Clarendon; but they were Longueville brought this order, £ut-
never accompl ished. No one way more lery calling to mind that be owed more
generous to him than 'the earl of Dor- than that sum to different persons, de-
set, who, being himself an excellent sired Mr. Longueville to pay away the
poet, knew how to set a just value* upon whole gratuity, which that gentleman
the ingenious performances of others ; did accordingly, and Bntler did not
and we are told, he owed it to that no- receive a shining of the king's bounty,
bleinan, that the court tasted his Hudi- This seems to have been the only const
bras. It soon became the chief eater- favour he ever received* " GrangSjr
taioment of the king, wbo often plea- was informed by Dr. Pearce, whet
santly quoted it in conversation. It named for his authority Mr. Lowndes
is said his majesty ordered Butler the of the* treasury, tbat Butler bad- a
I um of 3000/. but the .order* being yearly pensiou of an hundred pounds*
written in figures, somebody through This is contradicted by all tratlfttai,
whose hands it passed, by cutting off a by the complaints of Oldham, and by
cypher, reduced it to 300/. It passed the reproaches of Dryden ; and I am
all the offices without any fee, at the afraid will never be confirmed." Dr.
solicitation of Mr. William Longueville Joh.nsgn.
of the Temple, lord Danby being at

B XJ T L E R. 46T

in thp church-yard of Coven t Garden. Dr. Simon Patrick
read the service. About sixty years afterwards, Mr. Bar-
ber, a printer, lord mayor of London, bestowed on him a,
monument in Westminster abbey.

, * After his death were published three small volumes of
his posthumous works, and lately, two volumes more have
been printed by Mr. Thyer of Manchester, indubitably
genuine. From none of these pieces can bis life be traced,
or his character discovered. Some verses, in the last col-
lection, shew him to have been among those who ridiculed
the institution of the Royal Society, of which the enemies
/tyrere for some time very numerous and very acrimonious ;
for what reason it is hard to conceive, since the philoso-
phers professed not to advance doctrines, • but to produce
facts ; and the most zealous enemy of innovation must ad*
nrit the' gradual progress of experience, however, he may
oppose hypothetical temerity. In this mist of obscurity
passed the life of Butler, a man whose name can only
perish with his language. The mode and place of his
education are unknown ; the events of his life are variously
related ; and all that can be told with certainty is, that hew
was poor.

i . In th^se particulars we have chiefly followed the account
drawn up by Dr. Johnson for his edition of the English
Poets, and must refer to the same for that eminent critic's
masterly dissertation on the merit of Butler as a poet/ In
1744, Dr. Grey published an edition of -Hudibras, 2 vols.
8vo, with plates by Hogarth, and notes illustrative of those
passages and allusions which, from the lapse of time, were
becoming obscure. This long remained the standard edi-
tion, until in 1794, Dr. Nash, the historian of Worcester-
shire* published a new edition in 2 vols. 4to, and one of
notes, abridged, improved, and corrected from Dr. Grey's
-edition ? with an inquiry into the life of Butler, Contain-
ing, however, few particulars that are not generally kuown.1
JBU.TLER (William), one of the greatest physicians,
*4|d most capricious humourists of his time, was born at
Ipswich,, about 1535, and educated at Clare-hall, Cam-
bridge,, of which he h£caqie fellow. He afterwards settled
at Cambridge as a physician, without taking a medical
..degree. His sagacity in judging of distempers was very
great, and bis method of cure was sometimes as extraor-

' * » Bio^, Bioy.— Johnson's Ports. — Cibber's Lives, &c.

H H 2

iefc »onE ft»

binary; he was bold and singular in his practice, and
the* oddity of his manners, gave him a very great character
femongthe vulgar,* who conceived that he must possess* ex*
traordinary abilities. Mr. Aubrey informs us, that ' it was
usual for him to sit among the boys, at St. MafyV church,
in Cambridge $ and that when he was sent 'for to king
James at Newmarket, he suddenly turned back to go home,
•and that the messenger was forced to drive him before him*
We find be was consulted along with sir Theodore Mayertke
aqd others in the sickness which proved fatal to prince
Henry ; and it is said that at the first sight of him, Butler
from his cadaverous look made an unfavourable prognostic.
The reputation of physic was very low in England before
'Butler's time; hypothetical -nonsense was reduced iri to
system, not only in medicine, but also in other arts atad
sciences. Many droll stories* have travelled down to^«sy of
some extraordinary cures as strangely performed; for* these
the' reader is referred to Witirwood's Memorials, vol.' III.
Bichardi Parkeri, Sceletos Cantabrigiensis* Fuller, Pnrae.
Mayern. p. 66 ; and Wood in bis account -of Francis
Tresham, esq. He died Jan. 29, 1618, aged eightyifcwo,
and lies buried in St. Mary's church, in Cambridge, with
an elegant and pompous Epitaph 6ver him. He left no
writings behind him. l j. . •

BUTTER (William), M. D. a native of DeAyshmy br
according to Mr. Boswell, of Scotland, was born in 1T&0.
After the usual school education, he went to Edinburgh,
^wbere he resided about seven years, arid dtiring hhtme-
dical course of study, published " A method of cure for
th£ Stotie, chiefly by injections,'* 1754, 12 mo, and * Dk-
sertatio de frigore qaatenus morborum causa,1' 1 757^ Wio.
In 1761' he took his degree of M. D. and published *&r
his inaugural thesis, "Dissertatio Medica et Chirorgiea
de Arteriotomia," a subject on which he is said to have
held some bold opinions, and when at Edinburgh^ made
an attempt publicly to open the carotid artery of* a patient
in the hospital, but aftei* making the first incision^ 'the. pa-
tient fainted, and the operation, which he infeen -d to renew
next day, was prevented by the interference of the1 ma-
nagers of the hbspital. He afterwards practised medicare
for several years at Derby, whence, in.*778,<heremfnaed
and settled' in London; In 1773 be published- a toesifce

i Giaa^er.— Fufl€jr,« Wortiiiei.— Birch's life of Prince Henty,

BUTTER. 499

i

e»ihe kink-cougb, the name be. gives to the twsais oqftf
vulaiya* or whoopingwcough.. In the cure he relied prinr
oipally on the efficacy of the extract qf hemlock* whifh
he considered as a: specific in the complaints Two. year?
afteiv he gave- an account of the puerperal fever, as it
Appeared in Derbyshire and tome of the adjacent counties,

«.£«o? in L782, " A Treatise on the Worm Fever;" in 178&,
& An improred method of opening the Temporal Artery ;?
and in 179*, a .treatise on- the angina pectoris, first de-
scribed by Dr. Heberden., His< account of it-is published

. kkc tfae^seeond volume of ".. Medical Transactions," by
the rojjral college of physicians. Dr. Butter calb it /the
diaphragmatic gout, 'and thinks it generally curable* in
4he it! he gives opium with aromatics, and for the cure he
jreeommcnds pills;* with aloes and soap, to keep the body

^ soluble. These, with temperance* he: says, will usually
succeed inputting an end to the (Complaint. In. l&Hf rhe
published ft A Treatise ion the Venereal Rose," \n which

. iie^cdnsider^virolenfe gomorrhea as a species: of , erysipelas,

. aad resorts to 'his favourite hemlock for a cure, ,He xiied
at? his house io Lower: Grosvenor-stiieet* March fciy 1 804.
His practice in London was mot iveryt extensive, nor tod
he the good fortune to procure the . approbation of his
,bi^0thi5en<to bis waitings. Strivings to be an inventor, he
ibecame a nostrum-monger, and in his latter -days- his

.manhejfs had none of that polish which procures respect,1

BUXTON (Jedediah), an extraordinary calculator,
cashomat Elmeton, or Elmton, a small village net far
irom Chesterfield, in Derbyshire. His grandfather iohn
Buxton was vicar oft Elmetoo, and his father William

Jtaxton was schoolmaster i in the same parish. . We cannot
precisely ascertain the :y ear in; which Jedediah was born ;
but it is probable thai it was in 1704 or 1705. Notwith-
standing tbe profession of his father, Jedediah's education

^aeemts. tchave been totally neglected, for he, /was never
itaught either to read or \^rite. How he came first to know

(the relative proportion* *of jHtmbtrs, their denominations

-andpowters, he> never: . could ■ remember ;* but upon these
bis attention was constantly riveted, and he scarcely ;to*k
«nyi notice of > external objects, : except with respect to
ttheijumionbers. If any spacetof time was mentioned before

* *

.i Gent, Mag. .vol. I«XXV.-~Eiuropean >Mag.-p»Ne* Catalogue of Lhrjqg
English Authors.— 'Bosweil's Life of Johnson.

*70 BUXTO N.

bim, he would soon after say that it contained so many
minutes ; and if any distance, he would assign the number
of hair breadths in it, even when no question was asked
Mm by the company. His power of abstraction was so
•great, that no noise whatever could disturb him, and whep
asked any question, he would immediately reply, and re*
•turn to his calculation without any confusion, or the loss
of more time than the answer required. A person who
-bad heard of his astonishing performances, meeting with
him accidentally, in order to try his calculating powers,
'proposed to him the following question : In a body whose
•three sides are 23,145,739 yards, 5,642,732 yards, and
64,965 yaftk, how many cubical eighths of an inch ? Aftejr
-©nee naming the several figures distinctly, one after the
Other, in order to assure himself of the several dimensions,
this self-taught calculator fell to work amidst more than a
hundred of *his felloe-labourers, and- the proposer of the
^question leaving bim 'for about five hours, returned
and found Jedediah ready with his answer, which was
^exactly right. A variety of questions, too numerous to
•be here inserted, he would solve in very little time, by
the mere force of memory* He would multiply aiiy
■number of figures, either by the whole or afry past of
them, and at different times, and store up the various
^products in his memory, so as to give the au&wfrs several
months after. He would work * at -several questions; first
'begin one and work it half through ; then another, arid so
on, working hi this manner six or eight questious, and
nvoold either as soon as finished, or several months after,
;tell the result. This extraordinary man would stride over

• a piece of land, and tell the contents of it with as iquch
exactness as if he had measured it- by the chain ; and in
this manner he measured the whole lordship of Elmtdn, of
some thousand acres, belonging to sir John Rhodes, and
brought bim the contents, not only in acres, roods, and
yfercbes, but in • square inches, and after this redi^ed
them into square hair-breadths, computing forty-eight to
each side of the inch, which produced an incomprehen*-
stble number.

• His perpetual application to figures prevented him frpm
making the smallest acquisition in any other branch' of
knowledge ; for, beyond mere calculation, his ideas were
as confined, perhaps, as those of a boy at ten years ofcage
in the same class of life. The only objects of Jedediah 'a

BUXTON. 471

curiosity, next to figures, were the king and royal family ;
And Tlis desire to see them was so strong, that in die begin-
ning of spring, 1754, he walked up to London for that pur-
pose, but was obliged to return disappointed, as bit majesty
had removed to Kensington just as he arrived in town.
Hfc was however introduced to the royal society, whom he
called the volk of the siefy court He was likewise taken
to see 'the tragedy of Richard III. at Drury-lane, and it
was expected that -the novelty of eVery thing in this place,
together with the splendour of the surrounding objects,
would have fixed him in astonishment, or that his passions
Would in some degree have been roused by the action of
'the performers, even if he did not fully comprehend the
dialogue. Instead of this, during the dances his atten-
tion was engaged in reckoning the number of steps. After
a fine piece of music, he declared that the innumerable
sounds produced by the instruments perplexed him be-<
yond measure* but he counted the words uttered by Mr,
Oarrick in the. whole course of the entertainment, and
affirmed that in this be had perfectly succeeded. He lived
it ' to about! seventy ye&rs of age, but the exact time of his

-death we cannot learn. He was married,* and had several
children.1
« BUXTORF (JogNlL the first of a learned family, was

' bom' at Camen, in Westphalia, in 1564, and became • aw
eminent Calvinist divine, and professor of the Hebrew and
Chaldaie languages at Basil, a situation which he filled
with great reputation until his death, in 1629. During
his Hebrew studies, he availed himself of the assistance
of the ablest Jews, and from them acquired a fondness for
rabbinical learning. The first of his works was his great

' dictionary, entitled " Lexicon Chaldaicum, Tahnudicum

1 et Rabbinicum," printed at Basil in 1639, which is ab»
solutely necessary for understanding the Rabbins, bding
ihore extensive than that of R. David of Pomis, printed at
Venice iri 15*7. He wrote also a small dfctionary of
Hebrew and Chaldaie words in the Bible,; which isVfry
methodical. There is nothing more complete than his
•*' Treasury of 'the Hebrew Grammar,'* 2 vols. Ivo.» He
also printed a great Hebrew Bible at Basil, in 1618, 4 vols,
ibl. with the Ribbins, the Chaldaie paraphrases^ and the

-''I'ttfcnyiUM* BmgutotaftieuiMt^bU nMmayU sees i± 0enfcM»f»
> isLU*LUI.aift I4V, *

47* BUXT O ft F.

JA assoife,* after the manner of the great Bible *f Venice ;
but father Simon . thinks it incorrect. To ,this .Bible ia
commonly, added the Tiberias of the; ^une author, .which
is *a commentary upon the Massofa? where he explains at
Urge, what the Rabbins think of it, and expounds in Latin
the » terms pf the Massora, . which are very difficult. He
follows rabbi Elias the Levite, in his exposition of i those
terms. ,He has also published ".Synagoga Jpdaiea," Lf>£8j
8vo, where hie exposes the ceremonies of the Jews; which*
though >it abounds in learning, does not greatly skew the
judgment of the compiler, who. insists: too much upra
trifles,, merely for the sake of rendering thet Jews .ridicu-
lous. The . small abridgment of Leo of Mpdena upon this
subject, translated by Father pinion, is *far better. We
have besides some other. books of the same, author^ among
which is his " Bibliotheca of the Rabbins," a curious
work; but there have beten since, his. time a great many
discoveries made in that part of learning.' They who hare, a
inind jto write Hebrew, may make use of ,/the> collections of
Hebrew letters, which he has published under the title. of
*' Institutio Epistolaris; Hebraica," i629, >&¥<* . He com*
J>iled also, « Concordaitfiae Hebraicee,'' published by his
son in I632.1 ' . :>

• BVXTQRF. ( JoSn), the sen sA the preceding, .was horn
at Basil, in L£99,,and became professor of the/ Oriental
language there,, with no, Less taste, -and skill in the Hebnsw
4nd the Jiabbin3r Uian his /atbidr.^ He translated i some
Rabbins, and among, others, the "JMoreh Neyoehjni" of
Mairaonides, and the book entitled .CJesrL . H« .also writ
upon the Hebrew, Chaldaic, ,and> Syriac grammars. His
Hebrew Concordance is much esteemed? and. being hair
of his father's, opinion as well as Jewish literature, he has
defended the antiquity of the points and. vowels of, the
Hebrew text against i^ewis Capellus, in a book entitled
*' Tractates depunotorum vocalium & acceutuum in librk .
Veneris Testanienti Hebraicis origine> antiqniffLte* &,auc-
toritate/1 Basil, 1648, There is a great .number of spas- .
sages of the Rabbins cited in Ahk hook'. He, has also
written another. bopk, much more valuable, against the
critiques pf the f said Ludovicus jGapelkis*' with ;*his
** Aaticrjtica;, seu .vhadicwe. vericsysi Aktydaicse.

» Mort«.^-J>ict JUsW^-Ssxii Qftipwt. r-B*jU* , Jt*eaeu.<»- Mont's

Census; .,....:.

/•

B U XT OR F. 473

J^udoviei jCftpelli critical, quatq vocat sacram," $asfr9
1653. He composed several dissertations upon different
piasters. relating to the Jewish literature, in which he ex-
celled; and died in 1664.

Many learned, men, who admire the rabbinical e?celT
fence of these two great men, are not always satisfied
with their judgment. They believe these, aqtbors too
much led by the Rabbins ; and that Capellus, though no(
so deep in Hebrew, has written more, judiciously, upop
this argument. They add, that the strppg fapcy which a
great part of the German and Geneva divines have for th^
• Hebrew points, proceeds in good measure from the regard
they had for the two Buxtorfs, whose opinions, they imT
plicitly followed. " Father Simon has spoken (but slightly
pf them : «« The two Bijxtorfs," says he, ".who, have got
muph reputation, especially among the Protestants, have
in most of. their works, only shewn, themselves extremely
prejudiced in favour of the Rabbins, without having con-r
^tilted; *ny other authors." But Buxtorf the father reT
ceiyed the* highest encomiums from all the learned of bis
time. 14 particular,. Gerard Vossius, in. the funeral oraT
tion which he madefdr JErpenius, says, thpt " Epvopsbad
uotaripore knowing and learned ipan, nor ion^yvho w,as
better versed in the Rabbins, and in such books as :relat$4
to. the Talmud, than BuxAorf." f Joseph ScaUger goes
farther, and says, that Buxtorf u ought to be- cqnsidered
as the master of the llabbins. He. declares him to be the
pnly man who understood the Hebrew language thoroughly;
and. that notwithstanding his grey beard, he Would gladly
be. bis scholar ;", which was the highest compliment that
could, be paid to. so. young a man a* Buxtorf then was.
Isaac. Casaubon entertained exactly the same opipion of
bhn as Scaliger; and adds,, that " there is a great deal of
candour, and an air of honesty, which runs through ajl
bk ^writings/' *

BUXTORF. ( John- Jams3), either son. or pephew to the
preceding, was. likewise an able orientalist, and succeeded
jrafother in the professorship 6a his death in 1664, and
died in ,1704. He made various translations from rabbini-
.-cid, works, and added' a Supplement to the " Bibliothep*
Rabbinica." Niceron attributes to him the " Florilegium

J tforeri.— Diet. Hi$t.— Freheri Theatrum.— Saxif Onomast

474 , B U X T O R F.

Hebraicum," Basil, 1648, 8vo, but he must have been
too young at that time for such a work. *

BUXTORF (John), nephew of the second Buxtorf,
was the fourth professor of Oriental languages, of that
family, who occupied that post during a whole century;
They have been all censured for too great an attachment
to Rabbi nism, to the accents and vowel-points of the He-
brew tongue. This Buxtorf died in 1732, leaving trea-
tises on the Hebfew language, dissertations, verses, ser-
mons, and a son who shewed himself worthy of his learned
ancestors. *

BY AM (Henry), D. D. a learned preacher and loyalist
in the seventeenth century, the son of Laurence Byam*
df Luckham, or East Luck ham, near Dunster, in Somen*
Betshire, was born there Aug. 31, 1580, and in Act term
1697, was entered of Exeter college, Oxford, where, in
1699, he was elected a student of Christ-church. In both
colleges his application was such as to make him be con-*
sidered as one of the greatest ornaments of the university ;
and when he took orders, one of the most acute and emi-
nent preachers of the age. After taking the, degree qif
B. D. in 1612, be succeeded his father in the rectory of
Luckbam, and a Mr. Fleet in that of Sal worthy, adjoining.
In 1631 he became a prebendary of Exeter, and on the
meeting. of parliament, wasmnanimously chosen hy the
clergy of bis diocese, to be their clerk in convocation. In
the beginning t>f the rebellion he was one of the first whft
were apprehended for their loyalty, but making his escape,

joined the king at Oxford, where he was, with others*
created D. D. In the king's cause his zeal and that of
jhis family could not fail to render him obnoxious. He
had not only assisted in raising men and horse for his ma-

»jesty, but of his five sons, four were captains in the

.army.' His estate^ therefore, both clerical and private,
was exposed to the usual confiscations ; and to add to his
'sufferings, bis wife and daughter, in endeavouring to'es-
cape to Wales by sea, were both drowned. When the
jprwxje Charles, afterwards Charles II. fled from England,
*Dr. Byam accompanied him first to the island of Scilly,

, afterwards to that of Jersey, where be officiated as chap*

1 Diet. Hist.— Saxii Onomast. Th« relationship of the tws last Buxtorfs i*
variously given in our authorities. ,

* Mnreri. — Diet. Hist.— FreheriTheatrum."— Saxii Onomast. "See the prts*.
faie to Taylor's Hebrew Concordance, vol. I. 1756, foJ.

B Y A M. *7*

lain until the garrison was taken by the' parliamentary-
forces. He contrived afterwards to live in obscurity untH
the restoration, when he was made canon of Exeter, and
prebendary of Wells, but we do not find that his services
were rewarded by any higher preferment. He died June
16, 1669, and was buried m the chancel of the church at
Luckham, where a monument with an inscription by Dr»
Hamnet Ward was erected to his memory. His works'
were : " Thirteen Sermons, most of them preached before
his majesty Charles II. m his exile," Lond. 1675, 8vo.
These were published after his death by Hamnet Ward,
M. D. vicar of Sturminster^-Newton-Castle, in Dorsetshire,
With some account of the author. Dr. Byam was the fa-
ther of the governor alluded to in Southern's play of
Oroonoko, whom the profligate Mrs. Behn endeavoured to
stigmatize from private pique.1

BYFIELD ^Nicholas), a puritan divine of considerable
eminence in the beginning of the seventeenth century,
'was the son of Richard Byfield, minister of Stratford-upon-
Avon', and was born in Warwickshire about the year 1579,
He became a servitor of Exeter college, Oxford, in tent
tefm 1596, and remained at the university upwards cff
four years, but left it without taking a degree. He was
admitted, however, into holy orders, and was soon after
invited to be pastor of St. Peter's church, Chester, which
he gtadly accepted, and continued there for several years,
" much followed and admired," says Wood, " by the pre-
cise party, who esteemed his preaching profitable, and his
life pious." He was a strict observer of Sunday, on which
subject he preached and wrote, and this involved hinv in
a controversy, particularly with Edward Brerewood the
mathematician. (See Brerewood.) The observation of
the Sabbath was at this time a subject of much contro*
versy, and many pamphlets were written on both sides,
with the warmth natural at a period of increasing religions
dissension. From Chester Mr. Byfield removed, in 1615,
'to the vicarage of Isleworth, where he died in 1M2,
leaving behind him' an excellent character for learning,
Success ill his ministry, and a pious and peaceable dispo-
sition. He was the author of many popular works, which
T 'are enumerated by Wood. Of these, his cc Commentary

1 Ath. Ox. vol. I I.r- Walker's Suffering of the Clergy, p. 29.~Prirate com*
piiuucAtioii from a defendant

476 B Y F I E L D.

on the First Epistle of St. Peter," 1637, folaod 'fort
Colossians," 1628, fol. are held in the highest estimation,
and confirm the character which Wood, somewhat reluc-
tantly, gives of him. Dr. Gouge, of Blackfriars, who drew
up an account of his death, informs us that ou his bo^y
being opened, a stone was taken out of his bladder that
weighed thirty-three ounces ; apd was in length a&d
breadth about thirteen .inches,, and solid,, like a flint. . A
print of him was published « by. Richardson, in 1.790, with
. an account of this very remarkable case. . The noted Ado*
niram Byfield, a zealous adherent to the common wealth
revolution, was. his son ; and .Richard Byfield, another
ejected nonconformist, .was his half brother; but neither
had his, meek, loyal, and .submissive spirit.- Adoniram
is one of the few persons who have been^ • by name, stig-
matized by Butler in his " Hudibras." He was the father
of Dr. Byfield; the noted Sal volatile doctor, who in his
epitaph issaid to be " Diu volatilis tandem^rttf."1
- BYNG (George), lord viscount Torrington, an eminent
naval officer^ was descended from a family long seated in
KerFt, hi* direct ancestor Robert Byng, of Wrotham, in
th^t county, being. high sheriff of it in the 34tb year.of
queen Elizabeth.; and he was the eldest son of John Byng»
esq, by Philadelphia, . daughter of Mr. Johnson, of Loans,
Surrey. He was born in 166*3, and went a volunteer, to
sea in 1678,- at the age of fifteen, with the king's letter*
given him on the recommendation of the duke of York.
In 1681 he quitted the sea-service upon the invitation of
general Kirk, governor /of Tangier, and served as a cadet in
the grenadiers of that garrison ; until on a. vacancy, which
soon happened, ftbe general made him ensign of .his own
company ; and soon after a lieutenant In 1664* after the
demolition of Tangier, lord Dartmouth, general of the aea
and land forces, 'appointed him lieutenant of the Oxford;
from which time be constantly kept to the sea-sendee, re-
maining likewise an officer in the army several years aft^jr.
In 1 685 he went lieutenant of Iris majesty's ship the Pbeenix
to the East Indies 5 where, engaging and boarding a. Taor
ganian pirate, who maintained a desperate fight, most qf

• ■'*"' m i •

. *Thia, saysCba«nock,wasamodeof , the midshipmen of the present day.

Entering into the service, thsragh lately This class of yonag 'officers were,

disused, which entitled the person who originally called the king's letter-

)poesessed'it to a rank equal to.tbat of hoys*

1 Atb. Ox. rot I. — Ward's Lives of the Gresham Professors.— Fuller's Wo#»
thies. — Pref. to his Commentary on Su Peter.-— Lysons's Environs, vol. 1IL

B Y N G... 47*

« j

those who entered with htm were killed, himself much
wounded/ and the pitate* sinking, he was taken out of the
sea with scarce any remains of life* In 1688, being first
lieutenant to sir John Ashby, in the fleet commanded by
lord Dartmouth, fitted oat to oppose the designs of the
prince of Orange, he was in a particular manner: intrusted
fend employed in the measures then carrying on amongst
the most considerable officers of the fleet in favour of that
prince ; and was the person confided in by them to carry
their secret assurances of obedience to his highness, to
Whom he was privately introduced, at Sherburn, by admiral
"Russel, afterwards earl of Orford. After his return to the
fleet, lord Dartmouth sent him with capt. Aylmer, and
capt/ Hastings, to carry a message of submission to the
'prince at Windsor ; and made him captain of the Constant
Warwick, a ship of the fourth rate. In 1,690 he com-,
marided thd Hope, a third rate, and was second to sir
'George Rooke, in the battle off Beachy head. In the years
1691 and 1692, he was captain of the Royal Oak, and
- served' under admiral Russ'el, who commanded in chief their
'Majesty' s fleet. In 1693, that great officer distinguished
him in a particular manner, by promoting him to the rank
bf his first captain ; in which 'station be served in 1694 and
• 1395 in the Mediterranean, where the designs of the
"French against ! Barcelona were prevented: and also the
next year, 1696, in the Channel, to oppose the intended
invasion of king James with a French army from the coast
of France; which, upon the appearance of the fleet, was
laid aside. In 1702, upon the breaking out of the war, he
accepted of the command of the Nassau, a third rate, and
Was at the taking and burning of the French and Spanish
"fleets at Vigo. The year following he was made rear-
-admiral of the red, and served in the fleet commanded by
At dloudesley Shovel, in the Mediterranean ; who de*
tached him' with a squadron to Algiers, where he renewed
and improved our treaties with that government. In 1704
he served in the grand fleet in the Mediterranean, and
"commanded the squadron that attacked and cannonaded
rt Gibraltar; and, by landing the seamen, whose valour was
Hrery remarkably displayed on this occasion,' the town wag
taken. He was in the battle of Malaga, which followed
soon after, and, "for his behaviour in that action, had the
"honour of knighthood conferred "on him by his Majesty;
In the Winter of this year be was sent out with a squadron

\

478 BYN G.

to c*uise against the French, which he did with great
success, taking about twenty of their largest privateers in
about two months time, with the Thetis, a French man of
war of fifty guns. In , 1 705 he was paade vice-admiral of
the blue ; and upon the election of a new parliament, was
returned burgess for Plymouth, which place be represented
in every succeeding parliament to the yqar 1721, when he
.was advanced to the peerage.

During, the summer of 1705, he commanded in chief a
squadron in the channel, and blocked up the French fleet
in Brest, with a much inferior strength. In 1706, king
Charles of Spain, the late emperor, being closely beseiged
in Barcelona, by sea and land, by the duke of Anjpu^ aqd
the place reduced to great extremity, and our fleet iq. the
Mediterranean being too weak to relieve it, sir George
Byng was appointed to command a strong squadron fitting
out in England ; in the hastening of which service, he used
such diligence and activity, and joined our fleet with such
unexpected dispatch, that the saving of that city was en-
tirely owing to it. He assisted at the other enterprises of
that campaign, and commanded. the ships detached for the
reduction of Carthagena and Alicant, which he accom-
plished. In 1 707 he served in the second post under Sir
Ckrodesley Shovel, at the seige of Toulon ; and the. year
following was made admiral of the blue, apd commanded
the squadron which was fitted out to oppose the invasion
designed against Scotland by the pretender with a French
army from Dunkirk ; which he fortunately prevented, by
arriving off the Frith of Edinburgh before their troops could'
land, and obliged them to betake themselves to flight. On ,
his return from this expedition, he was offered by the queen
the place of one of the prince of Denmark's council iu the
admiralty, which he then declined. He continued to com- ,
naand all that summer in the channel, and upon the mar-
riage of the queen, of Portugal, had the .honour of con-
ducting her majesty to Lisbon, where a commission was
sent to htm to be admiral of the white. In 1709 be com-

* A

manded io chief her majesty's fleet in the. Mediterranean;
and, after his return to England, was maqe one of the
commissioners of the admiralty, and continued so till some
time before the queen's death ; when, not falling jn witu
the measures of the cojurfe,. he was removed, but upon the
accession of George I. be was restored to that station.
. In 1715# upoQ.the breaking outpf the rebellion .which

BYN'G. 47»

<was at first secretly supported with arms 'and warlike stores
from France, be was appointed to command a squadron,
with which he kept such a watchful eye along the French
coast, by examining ships even in their ports, and obtain-
ing orders from the court of France to put on shore at
Havre de Grace great quantities of arms and ammunition
shipped there for the pretender's service; that, in reward
for his services, the king on Nov. 15, 1715, created him a
baronet, and gave him a ring of great value, and other
marks of his royal favour. In 1717, upon the discovery of
some secret practices of the ministers of Sweden against
this kingdom, he was sent with a squadron into the Baltic,
and prevented the Swedes appearing at sea. In 17 IS he
was made admiral and commander in chief of the fleet, and
being sent with a squadron into the Mediterranean for the
protection of Italy, according to the obligation England
was under by treaty, against the invasion of the Spaniards,,
\Vho had the year before surprized Sardinia, and had this
year landed an army in Sicily, he gave a total defeat to
their fleet near Messina : for which action he was honoured
with a letter from the king, written with his own band, and
received congratulatory letters from the empetror and the
king of Sardinia ; and was further honoured by his impe*
rial, majesty with his picture set in diamonds. He remained
for some time in these seas, for composing and adjusting
the differences between the several powers concerned, be*
ing vested with the character of plenipotentiary to all the
princes of Italy ; and that year and the next he supported
the German arms in their expedition to Sicily; and .enabled
them, by his assistance, to subdue the greatest part of that
island. After performing so many signal services, he at-
tended bis majesty, by his command, at Hanover, who
made him rear-admiral of England, and treasurer of the
navy, and, on his return to England,- one of his most
honourable privy-council ; and on Sept. 19, 1721 he was
called to the peerage by the title of baron Byng, of SouthiU,
in the county of Bedford, and viscount Torrtngton, in
Devonshire ; and 1725 was made one of the knights of the
bath on the revival of that order. In 1727, his late majesty,
on his accession to the crown, placed him at the head of bis
nayal affairs, as first lord of the admiralty, in whioh sta-
tion he died, Jan. 17, 1732-3 ; and was interred at Southill,
in Bedfordshire. — Lord Tdrrington married, in 1-691, Mary,
daughter of James Master, of Eadt Langdon, In the county

480 % B V N C."

of Kent, esq. hf whom (who died in 1756)' he had eleveif
sons' arid foar daughters. His fourth sou, was the unfortu*
Hate John Byng, admiral of the bine, who was condemned
tty the* sentence of a court-martial in 1757, and shot at
Portsmouth March 14th of that year, for a breach of tb£
twelfth article of war. From th6 best accounts published
6n this affair, it may be concluded that he wis' a stfdtfficd
€o popnlar clamour artfully directed to th6 itfrong object* *
' BYRNE (William), an eminent landscape engraft^
w&s'bofnin 1 1 42, and educated under an uncle^ who eri-*
graved heraldry on plate; but young Byrne having'stic-
ceeded in a landscape after* Wilson, which obtained a pre-1
initfm from the society for the encouragement of arts, it
Was regarded ag the precursor of talent 'of a superior order,'
and he fa&s sent to Paris, at that time the chief seminar^ ir#
Europe for the study of engraving. There he studied suc-
cessively under Aliamet and Wille! from the former of
tirhom he imbibed the leading traits of that style of en-
graving tvhich he afterwards adopted as his own': under th£
latter he engraved a large plate of a storm after Vernet ;
but the manual dexterity of Wille was alien to his iriirfdV
and probably contributed not much to his improvelnent,*
although he always spoke of Wille's instructions with re-
spect When* he returned to England, the success 6f
Woolletfr, as a landscape engraver* had' set the fashioto iti
that department of the art j but Byrne, disdaining to ttipy
what he did tiotfefcl, or perhaps scorning the influeticd of
feshionin art,' preserved the independence of his style I
awdcontimied to study, arid to recommend to his pupils^
nature, Vivares, and the best examples of the French
school. Hte larger performances are after Zuccarelli1 and
Both : hut his principal works (containing probably his best
engraving) are the ;** Antiquities of Great Britain," fcftef
Hearne; a Set of "Views of the* Lakes," after Farrihgdoti ;
and Smith's " Scenery of Italy." His chifcf excellehcie
consisting In his aerial perspective, and the general effect
df this chiaroscuro, he was more agreeably and more be-
nefirfatly employed, in finishing than in etching, and hence
he generally worked In fconjunction with his pupils, whtf
were in his later yearis his own sons and daughters. His
manners were unassuming ; his professional industry 6n-

.»u>

. ' Biog. Brit.-— Collins'* Peerage by Sir £. Brydges.— The best account we have
feen of Adm. John Byng'g case is in Cbaruock's Biog. Navali*.

BVlNt 4St

Emitting ; aftd hid moral character exemplary. This in-
genious artist died at his house in Great Titcbfield street,
Sept. 24, I805.1

BYROM (John), an ingenious English writer, tb*
younger son of Edward Byrom, a linen-draper of Man*
Chester,, was born at KersaH in the neighbourhood of thai;
town, in 1691 ; and after receiving such education as hk
native place afforded, was removed to Merchant-Taylo**
school in London, where he made very extraordinary-
progress in classical learning, and was soon deemed fit for
the. university. At the age of sixteen, he was admitted a
pensioner of Trinity college, Cambridge, under the tuition
of Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Baker. During his residence here
the proficiency he had made in classical knowledge, was
probably neither remitted, nor overlooked ; but he is siidt
to have paid no greater share of attention to logic and phi*
losophy, than was necessary to enable him to pass his ex*
supinations with credit. In 1711, he was admitted to his
degree of bachelor of arts*

His inclination to poetry appeared very early, but was
imparted principally to his friends and fellow-students.
The first production which brought him into general notice,
was probably written in his twenty-third year* Ai this
time the beautiful pastoral of " Colin and Phebe?* appeared
in the eighth volume of the Spectator ; and was, as it con*
tinues to be? universally admired. The Phebe of this pa*--
toral was Joanna, daughter of the celebrated Dr. Bentley*
master of Trinity college : this young and very amiable
lady was afterwards married to Dr. Dennison Cumberland,
bishop of Clqnfert and Killaloe> in Ireland, and was the mo-,
ther of Richard Cumberland, esq. the well-known dramatic
writer. It has been asserted, Nbut without any foundation^
that Byrohi paid his addresses to Miss Bentley. His object
was rather to* recommend himself to the attention of her
father, who was an admirer of the Spectators, and likely to
notice a poem of so much merit, coming, as he would soon
be told, from one of his college. Byrom had before thi*
sent two ingenious papers on the subject of dreaming to
the Spectator; and these specimens of promising talent
introduced him to the particular notice of Dr. Bentley,
by whose interest he was chosen fellow of his college, an&
toon after admitted to the degree of master of arts.

iQ«Kt. Mag. toLXXXVv

Vol. VII. I i

482 B Y R O JK.

Amidst this honourable progress, he does not appear to
have thought of any profession, and as he declined going
into the church, the statutes of the college required that
be should vacate his fellowship. Perhaps the state of his
health created this irresolution, for we find that in 1716
it became necessary for him to visit Montpelier upon that
account; and his fellowship being lost, he returned no
more to the university.

During his residence in France, he met with Male-
branche's " Search after Truth," and some of the works
of Mademoiselle Bourignon, the consequence of which,
Dr. Nichols informs us, was, that he came home strongly
possessed with the visionary philosophy of the former, and
the enthusiastic extravagances of the latter. From the
order of his poems, however, which was probably that of
their respective dates, he appears to have been at first
.rather a disciple of the celebrated Mr. Law, and'a warm
opponent of those divines who were termed latitudinarian.
His admiration of Malebranche, and of Bourignon, after-
wards increased, but he never followed either so far as to
despise human learning, in which his acquirements were
great; and the delight which he took.,in various studies,
ended only, with his life* By what means he was main-
tained abroad, or after his return, are matters of conjec-
ture. His biographer tells nothing of his father's inclina-
tion or abilities to forward his pursuits. It is said that he
studied medicine in London for some time;, and thence
acquired, among his familiar friends, the title of Doctor
Byrom. But this pursuit was, interrupted by his falling in
love with his cousin, Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph By-
rqm, a mercer at Manchester, then on a visit in London.
To this young lady he disclosed his passion, and followed
her to Manchester, where the ardour of his addresses soon
.procured a favourable return. Her father, hOW€Ver> was
textremely averse .to the match,, and wjhen it. took place
without his consent,, refused .the young couple any means
jof support. Dr. Nichols assigns two reasons, for this con-
duct, which are not very consistent; the one, that the
father was ,in opulent circumstances; the other, that he
thought oux poet. out. of his senses, and therefore would
,not perrnj^ him to superintend the education of his c^hy.-
dren, but took that. .care upon hirnself. If so, however
wrong his rpasqns might be, he could not be said t9 with-
draw his support ; and he was probably soon convinced that

.. *.

B Y R O E 48$

he had formed an erroneous estimate of his son-in-law's
understanding and general character.

In this dilemma, however, Mr. Byrom had recourse to
the teaching of short-hand writing, as a means of support-
ing himself and his wife, who adhered to him with affec-
tionate tenderness in all his vicissitudes. Dr. Nichols in-
forms us, that he had invented his short-hand at Cambridge
on the following occasion : Some manuscript sermons being
communicated to him, written in short-hand, he easily dis-
covered the true reading, but observing the method to be
clumsy apd ill-contrived, he set about inventing a better*
The account given by the editor of his System, published
in 1764, is somewhat different. It is said that the first oc-
casion of his turning his attention that way arose from hi9
acquaintance with Mr. Sharp of Trinity college, son to
archbishop Sharp. . Mr. Sharp had been advised by his
father to study the art, and Mr. Byrom joined him. All
the systems then in vogue appearing inadequate to the
end, he devised that which now goes by his name. This
discovery was made, not without considerable exultation,
and provoked' Weston, then the chief stenographer, to a
trial of skill, 6r father a controversy, which terminated in
flavour of Byrom. Weston published his system in 172$,.
and the dispute was carried on probably about that time.
Into the respective merits of these systems, it is unne-
cessary to enter. Angel, another professor of the art, who
prefixed a short history of Stenographers to his own system
(published in 1758) corisideirs Weston's method as one
that few have either capacity, pati&iice, dr leisure to learn.
He also tells^us that Dr. Byrom u feo far distinguished him-
self as a professor or teacher of the art of short-writing,
'that about the year 1 73 4,1 he pbtained an act of parliament
(perbaps he. means a patent) for that purpose, as pre-
suming tie had discovered a wonderful secret; and great
c'ar6 has' since? been taken tbr preserve it inviolably such,
except to his pupils, in hopes that by exciting a greater
curiosity, it might increase their number ;" and, as Mr.
Angel had a new system to propose, it was necessary for
, him to add, " that he could discover no peculiar excellence
in Byrom* s, either in the form of the letters, the rules, or
the application of them." Byrom, however, preserved his
system in manuscript as long as he lived. When his friends
wished to publish it after his death, they found no part of
it finished for the press, although he had made some pro-

II 2

484 BYRO M.:

gr^ss iq drawing it up in form, enough, says his editor, to
show the plan upon which be intended to proceed. Among
hi* pupils, of whom an ample list is given, in honour of
bis system, we find the name* of many distinguished scho-.
lar§, of Isaac Hawkins Btowne, Martin Folkes, Dr. Hoad+,
l&y, Dr. Hartley, lord Camden, &c. Lord Chesterfield,
according to Dr. Nichols, was likewise taught, by him,
which appear? t$ be doubtful The same biographer in*
fpfms us, that it was Byrom's practice to read a lecture to*
htf ^chcj^rs upon the history and utility of short-hand, in-*
aspersed with strokes of wit that, rendered it very enter-*
tttoiug* About the same time he became acquainted with
that irregular genius Dr. Byfreld, with whom he used tor
have $l&irspiahes of humour and repartee at the Rainbow
Qpffe^hpuse,.nsar Temple Bar. Upon that chemist's de-
cease, who .was the inventor of the Sal voUHU oUosurn, By*
iptt wijote the following impromptu : . . .

" Hie jacet Dr. ByfieW, din vofotftis, tandem fitus."

These circumstances are perhaps trifles, but they prove
that the study of the mystic writers had not at this time
ihuch influence oh our author's temper and habits, and
perhaps it! was hot until much later in life that he becamef
an admirer of Jacob Behmen. ?

* He first taught short-hand at Manchester, but afterwaidir
came to London during the winter months,' and not drily*
Had* great success as a teacher, but became distinguished
aJs a man of general learning^ In 1723-4, he was elected'
af fellow of the royal society, and communicated to fhit
teamed body, two letters, one containing some remarks on,
thfc elements of short-hand, by Samuel Jeake, esq. which'
was printed in the Philosophical Transactions, No: 4-38,*
and another letter, printed in the same volume, contain-'
ihg remarks on Mr. Lodwick's alphabet The suminer
months he was enabled to pass with his family at Man-
chester. By the death of his elder brother, Edward By-
rom, without issue, the family estate at Kersall devolved
tb him. At what time this happened, his hiograpner has
not informed us, but in consequence of this independence,;
he began to relax from teaching, and passed the 'remainder
of his days in the enjoyment' of the quiet comforts of do-
mestic life, for which he had the highest relish, and whteni
were heightened by the affectionate temper of his wife. It
is said by Dr. Nichols, that he employed the latter part of

BY R O M, 46$

KU life in writing his poems, but an inspection of theit
dates and subjects will shew that a very considerable part
must have been written much sooner. Some he is said to
have committed to the flames a little before his death ;
these were probably his juvenile effusions. What remain
were transcribed from his own copies. He died at Man-
chester, Sept. 28, 1763, in the 72d year of his age. His
character is given briefly in these words : %" As the general
tenor of his life was innocent and inoffensive, so he bore
his last illness with resignation and cheerfulness. The
■ great truths of Christianity had made from his earliest year*

a deep impression on his miiid, and hence it was that be
had a peculiar pleasure in employing his pen upon serious
subjects." Of his family we are told only that he had
several children, and that his eldest son was taken early
into the shop of his grandfather, where he acquired a hand*
some fortune. His opinions and much of his character are
discoverable in his poems. At first he appears to have
b,een . a disciple of Mr. Law, zealously attached to the
qfrurch (pf r England, but. with pretty strong prejudices
against the tfanoyerian, succession. He afterwards held
some of the opinions which are usually termed metho^isti?
cal, but he rejected Mr. Hervey's doctrine of imputed*
righteousness, an<J entertained an abhorrence of predesti*
nation. His reading on subjects of divinity was extensive*
and he watched the, opinions that came from the press with
tjie keenness of a polemic : whenever any thing appeared
adverse to his peculiar sentiments, be immediately opposed
it in a poem, but as scarcely any of his writings were pub*
l^hedin his life-time, he appears to have employed his pen
chiefly for his crcyn amusement, or that of his friends. At
• what time he began to lean towards the mysticism of Jacob
IJehmep is uncertain. An anonymous writer in the Gen-
tleman's Magazine, (vol. LI.) says, that in 1744 he learned
fligh Dutch, of * Russian at Manchester, in or^er to read
^apob'p works in the original; and being asked.. whether.
Jacob was more intelligible in that than in the English
translation, he affirmed that " he was equally so in both ;
that he himself perfectly understood him, and that the rea-
son others do not, was the blindness and naughtiness of
t^ir hearts.'' If this account be true, Byrom was farther
gpne in Behmenism than we should conjecture from hU
^por]£gr It certainly does not appear by tbem that he really
thought he understood Jacob perfectly, for he adopts, con-

486 BTR'O.M.

cerning him, the reply qf Socrates concerning Heraclitus's
writings :

"AH that I understand is good and true,
And what I don't, is, I believe, so too."

Among his poems may be found a version of one of Bfih-
men's epistles, which will at le:i3t afford the reader an op-
portunity of determining whether it be most intelligible in
prose or verse. *

The character of Ifyrom, as apoet, has been usually said
'to rest on his pastoral of Colin and_Phebe, which has been
universally praised for its natural simplicity ; but, if we
inquire what it is that pleases in this poem, we shall pro-
bably find that it is not the serious and simple expression
of a pastoral lover, but the air of delicate humour which
runs through the whole, and inclines us to think, contrary
to the received opinion, that he had no other object in
view. Much, therefore, as this piece has been praised, he
appears to have more fully established his character in
many of those poems written at a more advanced age, and
published for the first time, in two elegant volumes, at
Manchester^ in 1773, especially " The Verses spoken
extempore at the meeting of a Club" — " The Astrologer"
, — " The Pond" — " Contentment, or the Happy Work-
man"— most of his Tales and Fables, and the paraphrase
on the twenty-third psalm, entitled a " Divine Pastoral."
In these there appears so much of the genuine spirit of
poetry, and so many approaches to excellence, that it would
be difficult even upon the principles of fastidious criticism,
and impossible upon those of comparison, to exclude By-
rom from a collection of English poets. His muse is said
to have been so kind, that he always found it easier to ex-
press his thoughts in verse than in prose, and although this,
preference appears in many cases where the gjravity tif
prose only ought to have been employed, yet merely as
literary curiosities, the entire works of Byrom appear to
deserve the place allotted to them in the late edition of the
English poets, 1810, 21 vols, 8vo.

It is almost superfluous to add, that with such an attach-
ment to rhime, he wrote with ease: it is more to his ere-
dit that he wrote in general with correctness, and that his
mind was stored with varied imagery and original turn* of
thought, which he conveys in flowing measure, always
delicate and often harmonious. In his " Dialogue on

B Y R O M.

487

Contentment," and his poem " On the Fall of Man, in
answer to bishop Sherlock," he strongly reminds us of
Pope in the celebrated essay, although in the occasional
adoption of quaint conceits he appears to have followed
the example of the earlier poets. Of his long pieces, per-
haps the best is " Enthusiasm," which he published in
1751 *, and which is distinguished by superior animation,
and a glow of vigorous fancy suited to the subject. Hfc
depicts the classical enthusiast, and the virtuoso, with ar
strength of colouring not inferior to some of Pope's hap-
piest portraits in his Epistles. His controversial and cri-
tical verses, it has already been hinted, are rather to be
considered as literary curiosities than as poems, for what
can be a poam which excludes the powers of invention, and
interdicts the excursions of -fancy ? Yet, if. there be a
merit in versifying terms of art, some may also be allowed
to the introduction of questions of grammar, criticism, and
theology, with so much ease and perspicuity.
; Byrom's lines ." On the Patron of England" are worthy
of notice, as having excited a controversy which is, per*:
haps, not yet decided. In this poem he endeavoured to
prove the non-existence of St. George, the patron saint of
England, by this argument chiefly, that the English were
converted by Gregory the First^ or the Great, who sfent
over St. Austin for that purpose ; and he conceives that in
the ancient Fasti, Georgius was erroneously set down foe
Gregorius, and that George nowhere occurs as patron un-
til the reign of Edward III. H£' concludes with requesting
that the matter may be considered by Willis, Stukeley,
Ames, or Pegge, all celebrated antiquaries, or by the so-
ciety of antiquaries at large, stating the plain question to
be^ " Whether England's patron was a knight or a pope?"
This challenge must have been given some time before the
year 1759, when all these antiquaries were living, but in
what publication, if printed at £ll,v we have npt been able
to discover. Mr. Pegge, however, was living when Byr
rora's collected poems appeared, and judged the question

* In 1749 he published "An Epis*
tie to a Gentleman of the Temple."
Ift 1755 a pamphlet was published,
entitled « The Contest, m which is ex-
hibited a preface in favour of blank
verse ; with an experiment of it in an
odeupoQ the. British country life, by
Roger Comberbacb, esq. j An Epistle

from Dr. Byrom to Mr. Comberbacb,
in defence of rhyme ; and an* eclogue
by Mr.Comberbach,in reply to Dr. By-
rom, 8vo, Chester," This pamphlet
was published by MrV Comberbacb',
and is probably alluded to in our au-
thor's " Thoughts on Rhime and Blank
Veite." Combcrbach was a barrister.

^ i

418 B Y R O At

»

*tf sufficient importance to be discussed in the society. Hi*
** Observations on the History of St. George" were printed
in the fifth volume of the Archteologia, in answer, not only
to Pyrom, but to Dr. Pettingal, who in !760 expressed '
his unbelief in St. George by a " Dissertation on the
Equestrian Figure worn by the knights of the Garter :'*
Mr. Pegge is supposed to have refuted both. The contro- :
T&rsy was, however, revived at a much later period (1795) '
by Mr. Milner, of Winchester, who, in answer to the as- '
seftions of Gibbon, the historian, has supported the reality """'
cf the person of St. George with much ingenuity. l

BYTHNER (Victorinus), an able linguist, was a na- '
tive of Poland, who came to Oxford when somewhat ad- '
tanced in life, was matriculated, and read a Hebrew/
lecture for many years in the hall of Christ Church, and *
before the rebellion in 1642 instructed many scholars in
that language. Even after being disturbed by the revolu-
tionary confusions, he published some works for the use of
his pupils. After leaving Oxford he went to Cambridge, \
and thence to London, and Wood thinks, returned to Ox- .
ford. About 1664 he retired intb Cornwall,, and practised-
physic, but the time of his death has not been ascertained.
He wrote, 1. " Lethargy of the Soul, &c." 1636, 8vo.
3. " Tabula directoria : in qua totum TOTEXN1KON Lin-
guae Sanctae, ad amussim delineator," Ox. 1637. 3. "Lin-
gua eruditorum," usually called his Hebrew Grammar, Ox.
1638, 8vo, and reprinted. 4. " ManipuluS messis magnae,
siveGrammat exemplaris," Lond. 1639, 8 vo. 5. "ClaVis
Litiguas Sanctae," Camb. 1648, 8vo. 6.*" Lyra prophe-
tica Davidis regis : sive Analysis Critico-Practica Psalmo-
rum," Lond. 1650, 4to, and 1645, To this is added an
introduction to the Chaldaic. f

tfZOVIUS (Abraham), a learned Polander, and aVriy
rolutninous writer, was descended from a good family,7 and '
born in 1567. His parents dying when he was a child, lie
w&s educated by his grandmother on the mother's side, in
the city of Prosovit? ; and made so good use of the. instruc-
tions of one of his uncles, that at ten years of age he could
write Latin, compose music, and make verses. After this/
j}>e went to continue his studies at Cracow, and there toox
%he habit of a Dominican. Being sent into Italy, he £e&<

» Jotmton and ChataeiVs English Poets, 1*10.— Biof , Brit. • *t

BZ.OVI.U8. 489

4

lectures of philosophy at Milan, and of divinity al Bologna,
After he returned into his own country, he preached in
Posnania, and in Cracow, with the applause of all bis
hearers ; and taught philosophy and divinity. He was prin-
cipal of a college of his own order; and did several con-
siderable services to that and to his country. Afterwards
he went to Rome ; where he was received with open arms
by the pope, and lodged in the Vatican. From his holi-
ness he certainly deserved that reception, for he imitated
Baronius closely in his ambition to favour the power, and
raise the glory, of the papal see. His inconsiderate and
violent zeal, however, led him to representations in his
history of which he had reason to repent. He had very
much reviled the emperor Lewis of Bavaria, and razed him
ignominiously out of the catalogue o( emperors. The
duke of Bavaria was so incensed at this audaciousness, that,
not satisfied with causing an apology to be wrote for that
emperor, he brought an action in form against the annalist,
and got him condemned to make a public retractation, and
he was also severely treated in the " Apology of Lewis of
Bavaria,9' published by George Herwart; who affirms, that
Bzovius had not acted in his annals like a man of honesty,
or wit, or judgment, or memory, or any other good qua-
lity of a writer. Bzovius would probably have continued
in the Vatican till his death, if the murder of one of his.
servants, and the loss of a great sum of money, which was
carried off by the murderer^ had not struck him with such
a .terror, as obliged him to retire into the convent of Mi-
nerva, where he died in 1^37, aged seventy. The letter
which the king of Poland writ to the pope in 1633, does
our Dominican much honour; for injt the king supplicates
Urban VIII. most humbly to suffer the good old man to
return into Poland, that he might employ him in com-
posing a history of the late transactions there. He de-
clares, that he shall esteem himself much indebted to 'hi*
holiness, if he will be pleased to grant, him that favour^
which he so earnestly requests of him.

Bzovius's principal work is his continuation of Barcn
nius's " Annals of the Church,** of which nine volumes
folio have been printed, the first eight at Cologne, 1616—-
l$4i. and the ninth at Rome in 1672. The author is
abundantly credulous, and so partial to bis order that some
have considered the work rather as. .a history of the Do*
mtnicans, than of the church at large, yet the cerriou*

490

B Z O V I U S.

inquirer will find many important fects and document*
•brought together with much industry, and at a great ex-
pence of time and labour. Bzovius wrote alscthe lives of
some of the popes, and many sermons, &c. '

r •

1 Geo. Diet— MorcrL— Erythraei Pinacotheca.— Saxii Onomasttcon. *

*.r. .

INDEX

TO TBI

SEVENTH VOLUME.

Those marked thus * are new.
Those marked f zm re- writ ten, "with additions/

*Bridgbt, St. . . , .- . . 1

fBrill, Matthew 2

f Ptoi -. .ib.

fBrindfey, James . , 3

•Brinsley, John . .- 15

Brisson, Harnaby . .... v. .. 16

Brissot, Peter ...... . t . . . 17

fBrissot de Warville 19

♦Bristow, Richard 25

Britannico, John 26

fBrito, Bernard de . . . : ib.

fBritton, Thomas . ......;. 27

♦Brixius, Germain . . : 31

*Broad, Thomas 32

Brocardus, James .' ib.

♦Brockes, B. H 34

♦Brocklesby, Dr. ib.

Brodeau, John 39

Broeckhusius, John ib.

Brokesby, Francis . . 41

fBrom, Adam de ib.

tBrotue, Alexander ,42

%

Brome, Richard ,Y- '. 43

*Bromfield, Sir William .... 44
♦Bromley, John - 45

Brompton, Johta .' .46

*Bronchorst, John ib.

* Everard ib.

♦Bronzerio, J. J -.;.*.. 47

Brooke, Frances ........ ;S>.

f ^ Henry 49

* John Charles . .-. . . 58

f Ralph 59

f Sir Robert ....:.. 60

*Brooksbank, Jos. 62

Broome, William ....&.

Broschi, Carlo . .64

fBrossard, Sebastian de- .... 75

Brosse, Guy de la ib.

*Brosses, Charles de ....... ib.

Brossette, Claude . . . ; . /? /77

Brotier, Gabriel *. . . 7»

fBroughton, Hugh .%-.*.. .*.«!

* > ■■ .1 Riehafcl <v«,w;W

INDEX.

«i

i

Page

Broughtop, Thomas 86

Brouncker, William 89

Brousson, Claude 90

♦Broussonet, P. A. M 91

fBrouwer, Adrian 93

♦Brower, Christ 95

♦Brown, James ...... ib.

■ ■ John, of Newcastle 97

John, artist 102

*—— John ; Haddington 1 05

* John, M.D. .. ..106

♦■ Lancelot 110

f : — Robert Ill

Thomas 115

Ulysses 117

♦Browne, Anthony 120

— i — rr—. Edward 121

f— George 132

♦ — Joseph 124

f Isaac Hawkins ... 126

— ---Moses 131

■ Patrick 132

Peter 135

Simon , . „ • 135

Thomas, D.D.,. 140

Sir Thomas 141

William 147

Sir William ....151

t-

t

i

t

* «

fftrownrlg, Ralph 160

.♦Brownrigg, William ..,..163

♦Bruc&us, Henry ..♦..,.„ 164

fBruce, James «... .165

. Brucioli, Anthony 169

♦Brucker, J* J 170

♦Bruckman,. F, $. 171

♦Bruckner, John . . w ib.

fBruegbel. Peter 173

f : :r-r- tfce youngerl74

f ■ rr John , ib.

Brueys, P. A 175

♦Bruhier, J. J. 176

Bruin, John de ib.

fBrumoy, Peter 177

Brun, Charles le 179

♦ J. Baptists . , . 180

Lawrence 181

♦ Peter de ib.

♦Brunck, R. F. F 182

♦Brunelleschi, Phil 183

fBruni, Leonard ..... .-. . .184

♦Brvmjae, Jlobertde ...... 188

Page

♦Brunner, J. C. . ■. ,7. . . , %m 188

♦Bruno, St. . 190

t — : Joruano 191

♦Brunsfels, Otho 194

♦Brunswick, Duke of 195

Bruschius, Gaspar 196

Bruto, J. M.. .,. 198

fBruyere, John de la 199

Bruyn, Cornelius 201

Brays, Francis ib.

* ■ Peter de 202

♦Bryan, sir F. 203

♦Bryant, Jacob „<• . . 204

♦Brydal, John 211

♦Brydges, Sir Grey 212

♦Brye, Theodore de 213

♦Bryennius, Nicephorus . . . 214

* Manuel 215

♦Buat-Nancay, L. G. du . . . . ib.
fBuc, George 216

Bucer, Martin 217

Buchan, Eliz 219

* William 221

f Buchanan, George 224

* ichqltzer, Abraham .... 236

♦buck, Samuel \ 237

fBuckeridge, John ........ ib.

♦Buckland, Ralph 238

♦Buckler, Benjamin 239

♦Bucquet, J. B. M. . . . 241

fBuddeus, Johi* Francis . , . ..ib.
fBudeus, William .,....*. 243
♦Budcien, John 346

Budgell, Eustace, ..ib.

Bufialmacco, Buonamico . . 251

fBuffier, Claude \. »,ib.

fBuffon, Count de ... . . ... 253

♦Bugenbagius 259

♦Bulkley, Charles 361

* Peter .« , 362

fBuH, George * . . . , ^ib*

t— John 271

♦Buller, Sir Francis 372

Bullet, John Baptist 274

Bulleyn, William, . .... .„ . 275

fBullialdus, Ismael ..<.... 277

Bullinger, Henry . . mm, . « \ > 379
♦Bullock, Henry ......... 382

♦Bulstrode, Edward ib.

♦ : Sir Richard . . , . 283

» ■ Wtitlock,e M i€ , 284

4S*

I if » t x

Page

♦Btikeatt, Lewis. 284

Bulwer, John . . . 285

Bond, Peter ib.

fBunney, Edmund 286

♦— Francis 287

Bunyan, John 288

Boonamici, Castruccio 294

■(•Buonarroti, Michel Angelo ib.

♦Burana, J.F ...311

• BurchieHo .• . ; . ib.

fBure, WF.de ..312

♦Burette, P. J. . ; ib.

♦Burger, Godfred Aug 314

♦Burgess* Anth. 315

•- Cornelius ib.

-Daniel 316

fBurgh, James 318

Buridan, John ....;. * . . . 323
•Burigny, Levesque de . . . . 324

♦Burke, Edmund .... 325

Burkitt, William, 352

|Burlamaqui> J. J. 353

♦Burman, Francis ....;.. 354
♦•" ■ ■ ■■ son, .... 355

Peter ib.

Gaspard 360

Peter the second, ib.

John 361

t

*.

Burn, Richard 362

♦Burnaby, Andrew ib.

fBurnet, Gilbert 363

* William 381

- Gilbert, jun.... .. 383

- Thomas 384

-James 389

- T. of West Kington393

- T. of Charterhouse ib.
-Thomas, M. D. . . . 400

#«

*-

*-

♦Burns, Robert 401

: Burroughes, Jeremiah ... 415
♦Burroughs, Sir John.. . . ib.

Pag*
fBurrow, Sir James ...... 416

Burton, Henry 418

f — > — Hezekiah 422

John, ib;

t— John, M. D 427

Robert 428

♦ Robert . . . . . . 430

— William (Leie.) ... 431
William 435

t—

♦Bus, Cttsar die 435

Buebequius, A. G. 436

t Busby, Richard 437

♦Busch, John George ..... 441
Buschetts, da Dulichio . . . 441

fBusohing, Ant Fred 442

♦Busembaum, Herman .... 444

♦Bush, Paul * . . 44*

♦Bushel, Thomas' 445

♦Buslidius, John 440

♦Bussieres, John de . . . . . . ih.4

♦Butler, Alban 447

Charles 449

James 460

— Thomas .- 454

♦'■■ John • * 455

+— Joseph 457

— Samuel 463

William 467

♦Butter, William 468

Buxton, Jedediah ....... 469

Buxtorf, John 471

— - son . . i . . . 472

John James 473

nephew .... 474

*-,

♦Byam, Henry ib.

fByfield, Nicholas 475

+Byng, George 47$

♦Byrne, William 480

fByrom, John 481

♦Bythner, Victorinus 488

Bzovius, Abraham ib.

END OF THE SEVENTH VOLUME.

teste

Printed by Nichols, Sob, and B*nthy,
Red Lion Psnaffe, flset Street, Load***

n

I*